NEW DELHI: Ghazal legend
Mehdi Hassan
has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Karachi
after he had trouble in breathing, his son Arif Hassan said on Wednesday.
The 84-year-old singer, the voice behind evergreen ghazals like "Ab ke
bichade" and "Patta patta boota boota", has also stopped speaking.
Hassan, who has been suffering from lung problems for the past 12 years,
was rushed to Karachi's Agha Khan hospital on Tuesday night. Doctors said Hassan
is suffering from chest and urine infection.
"He had trouble in
breathing last night. We immediately rushed him to the hospital. He is in ICU
but there is no positive response from the doctors about his condition," Arif
said. "We have been feeding him through tube for the past two years and for the
past one month, he has even lost his voice, which mesmerized millions of his
fans," he added.
Arif said Hassan always wanted to visit India for
treatment. "He wanted to visit India, his birth country, and we were supposed to
be there last year but his condition never improved. Now the doctors have
strictly said no to any journey," he said.
Singers Hariharan and Hansraj
Hans besides Gulzar have enquired about Hassan's health over phone, Arif said.
Facing a cash crunch for his treatment, the family of the legendary singer has
appealed to the Pakistan government for some help.
"We have to pay Rs 45
lakh to the hospital. Government has publicly promised to bear all the expenses
of his treatment and we are relying on them. I am hopeful that people will come
forward to help," Arif said.
Hassan was born into a family of
traditional musicians in Rajasthan's Luna village in 1927. His family migrated
to Pakistan during the Partition.
Hassan, who has a huge following in
the subcontinent, cut back on his performances in the late 80s due to illness.
The singer last performed in India in 2000.