Pak TV told to air shows with Islamic values

The newly-installed government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has instructed the state-owned Pakistan Television to arrange its programmes in accordance with the country's Islamic identity and cultural values.

A statement issued by Siddiqul Farooq, the press secretary to Sharif, said on Wednesday the PTV officials had been asked to highlight ''our own culture and traditions instead of getting impressed with the Western lifestyle.''

''Telecasting of vulgar music and dances, plays and programmes (should) be stopped forthwith and such programmes be promoted which make the younger generation feel proud of its past,'' one of the instructions cited in the statement said.

The PTV has also been asked to replace western pop music with classical, folk, and national music.

''The importance of (the) family system (should) be highlighted by informing the nation of the crumbling family ties in the West,'' the statement said.

During the tenure of the last government headed by Benazir Bhutto, PTV and a semi-autonomous TV network -- STN -- diversified the programmes that it offered to its viewers by allowing telecasts of cultural shows and musical concerts.

The clergy had questioned the change as being out of tune with Islamic values.

UNI