Such things can only happen in third world countries or say developing nations (to sound less offensive).

The news is that eighty-two-year-old Pakistani ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan is unable to foot his medical bills.

Reports say that he's all set to be discharged from the Aga Khan hospital where he was recovering from a chronic lung infection, but his family is unable to pay the Rs 5 lakh to the private hospital.

His son has admitted that the family's income is not enough to take care of the legendary singer's medical bills.

However the hospital claims that he was treated free of cost.

Ironically, a cheque presented to the singer by former Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had bounced and the veteran singer has apparently no hope of any money coming in.

It's really sad to see the government not doing much for the sake of veteran artistes. Pakistan should concentrate on its culture and system more than making life difficult for others in the world.