Karachi: The United States has issued visas to renowned Pakistani comedian, Umer Sharif, and his family for his urgent treatment abroad owing to the fast deteriorating health of the veteran actor.
The announcement to this effect was made by Karachi’s Administrator, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, who also acts as the Sindh government’s spokesman, in his tweet on Thursday.
Barrister Wahab expressed gratitude to the US Consulate General in Karachi for the urgent issuance of visas and also granting exemption to Umer Sharif from appearing in the interview on health grounds.
The Sindh government earlier released Rs 44 million to arrange an air ambulance and fulfilled other financial obligations related to urgent treatment abroad for Sharif.
A day earlier, Karachi’s Arts Council hosted a press conference where Sharif’s son, Jawad Umer, expressed gratitude to the Sindh government for urgently fulfilling its promise to ensure best possible treatment of his father.
He appealed to the general public and media not to share pictures and video clips of Sharif during his treatment at the hospital.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Culture Minister, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, said that Sharif was a versatile artiste whose performing talent was simply unmatchable.
He prayed for the earliest recovery of Sharif after his treatment in US enabling him to once more entertain his several fans in the country.
The Culture Minister said the Sindh government had issued health insurance cards and also managed an endowment fund for the welfare of the artist fraternity.
Barrister Wahab told newsmen that Sharif and his family would leave for the US in the next 24 to 36 hours.
