All over the world, after any TV show ends, its episodes are often redistributed and repurchased by different streaming services for replays and the actors are paid with royalties, referred to as ‘residuals’ in the television industry.
However, the situation in Pakistan is different as many superhit TV shows are replayed but no royalties or residuals are paid to the actors. The issue was first highlighted by Pakistani actor Mikaal Zulfiqar and then, veteran actress Naila Jaffery, who is suffering from cancer, posted a video, appealing to the channels to pay her dues for re-airing her work. She has spent most of her savings on her treatment and is now facing difficulty to afford healthcare.
Later on, many other celebrities including Yasir Hussain, Mikaal Zulfiqar, and Ushna Shah, came out in Jaffery’s support and called for laws to protect artists and their rights.
The royalties payment matter got noticed by he government an senator Faisal Javed Khan has recently addressed the issue.
On Monday, while holding discussions with all stakeholders and working on a comprehensive bill to address the problems being faced by Pakistani artists, he tweeted, “Most countries around the world give royalties or residuals to artists every time their work is re-run. In Pakistan, where actors are already underpaid, there is no law ensuring that they are given financial credit for their work.”
“Therefore, it is very critical to fill the gaps & bring proper framework via amendments in legislation to ensure that our producers, artists get thr rights to royalties. I am in touch with all stakeholders & iA a comprehensive bill is being brought soon to address this v imp issue [sic],” the senator said.
In response to his tweets, many showbiz artists including, Sami Khan, Ali Zafar, Omair Rana, Zara Tareen, Mikaal, Sakina Samo, and many others took to social media and lauded his efforts for addressing the issue.
