Pakistan is currently witnessing one of the worst monsoon spells which has wreaked havoc across the country. One of the places severely affected by the floods is Balochistan where as many as 26,000 homes have been damaged, reported Dawn.
One such home damaged by the floods belonged to Coke Studio singer Wahab Ali Bugti who sang the popular track ‘Kana Yari’. Pictures of his condition were posted on Twitter by a user named Nishat, reported India Today.
“Wahab Bhugti who got famous after singing “Kana yari” at coke studio has been living in dire conditions due to the floods in Balochistan. His mud house was destroyed and his family has been living without a home,” she tweeted.
Wahab Bhugti who got famous after singing “Kana yari” at coke studio has been living in dire conditions due to the floods in Balochistan. His mud house was destroyed and his family has been living without a home. pic.twitter.com/u7LoQHmVrT
— Nishat (@Nishat64) August 21, 2022
In the pictures that were shared by Nishat, Wahab’s kids can be seen taking shelter under a charpoy. Floods have left their surrounding all muddy and in the rubble.
As her post went viral, Balochistan Flood Relief took notice and got in touch with Wahab. They shared that he is still stuck in a high-threat area.
Hello folks, I just spoke to him and he has given me his jazzcash account. DM Jamali is currently being evacuated due to high threat of Pat Feeder flooding the area, Wahab is still stuck there. Please help him out. This is his Jazzcash account: 03002118309 https://t.co/EyVPA5WjLC
— Balochistan Flood Relief (@astroluigi1) August 21, 2022
Several people online came together to help the poor man and his family. One also shared his account details to crowdfund enough money to help him get to safety.
If you want to help Brother Wahab Bugti here’s his number for Jazz Cash 0300 2118309. Let’s help in whatever ways we can. May Allah make things easier for us all! 🤲🏻
— Muniba Mazari (@muniba_mazari) August 21, 2022
HBL
16487900337903
Abdul Wahab
This is Wahab Bugti's Bank Acount.
— Kaifi Khalil (@kaifi_khalil) August 22, 2022
Confirmed by multiple sources, sharing brother Wahab Bugti’s personal bank account details:
Account Title: Abdul Wahab
Account Number: 16487900337903
Bank Name: Habib Bank ltd. https://t.co/Uwk5T39ZVZ
— Muniba Mazari (@muniba_mazari) August 22, 2022
We are and will continue to be with Wahab Bugti Sahib and his loved ones to help overcome the difficult situation. Rest assured, he is being given all possible support on ground.#cokestudiofamily
— Xulfi (@zulfiqarjkhan) August 22, 2022
According to News18, army officials have reached out to Wahab after the outpour of support from social media. A statement was issued by CM Secretariat, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qadoos Bizenjo wherein he ordered officials to help Wahab. The singer and his family have safely been shifted to Dera Murad Jamali.
After this incident, many condemned Coke Studio for allegedly not helping Wahab financial enough to pull him out of poverty. Some also were saddened by the sorry state of affairs of artists.
So basically coke studio made millions off his voice, and did nothing to alleviate his situation. Shambolic. (I don’t want to be presumptious and say they didn’t pay him or underpaid him but that does seem to be one of the alarming possiblities here too!)
— زید (@Ansarrriii) August 21, 2022
This breaks my heart…admist this political chaos half of Pakistan is drowned. In 2022, we’re still fighting for our rights like these and govt is busy in banning YouTube.. priorities
Shameee— فریحہ (@owlerywrites) August 21, 2022
Perks of being an artist. Also he’s a Baloch, they are the last on our state priority list. Unless it is about picking them up and making them dissappear
— Muhammad Ali (@alibelagam) August 21, 2022
heart breaking yaar 😭
nobody should experience this, let alone this amazing talented human being.
My god if this doesn’t speak to how poorly Baloch people are treated and how hollow their token representation is in the establishment media… then idk what does.— I stayed there dust collected on my pinned up hair (@radiant_sansa) August 21, 2022
Why do such big platforms like Coke Studio undervalue and pay so less to the talents they make millions from?
— Namrah (@banjaran_nama) August 22, 2022
So worried how our artists lives in poverty….at least #CokeStudio studio must do some thing….
— Shafiq Butt (@Shafiqbutt67) August 21, 2022
Hope cokestudio will help him build his house or they will act as any other capitalist studio?
— AbuHaider ابو حيدر (@AbuHaider8694) August 21, 2022
We’re glad that at least Wahab and his family are at a safer location right now.