PESHAWAR: A large number of Pakhtoons, on Monday, held a protest against derogatory remarks of an Urdu language poet aired on the Pakistan Television (PTV) during a poetic session on Eid day.
On the call of Tariq Afghan, a young advocate at the Peshawar High Court, members of civil society, representatives from different political parties, lawyers, poets and intellectuals assembled in front of the Peshawar Press Club to record their protest.
The protesters chanted slogans against the PTV management, government and concerned poet.
A number of participants, ANP’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Dr Said Alam Mehsud, Workers Party’s Shahab Advocate, Dr Abaseen Yousafzai, Tariq Afghan, Mian Farooq Firaq, and others addressed the protesters. They urged the government to take action against the responsible producer, director and others.
Tariq Afghan told Pakistan Today said that the PTV is hostile towards not only Pakhtoons but also towards Sindhis and Baluchs since long. He said that the purpose of the protest was to remind the PTV management of its mistakes.
Tariq further said that soon after the protest, Peshawar PTV general manager, along with a number of senior staff members, reached the press club, where they were informed about the protestors’ concerns and demands. They assured the protestors that they will convey their sentiments to high-ups in Islamabad.
According to the Peshawar GM, a show-cause notice has already been served to the producer and other responsible persons at the Islamabad centre. However, the protesters urged the concerned authorities for a stern action against the producer.
PTV Managing Director Sardar Ahmad Sukera had also taken a notice and assured action against the concerned persons.
Absaar Alam, chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA), through a tweet, confirmed of receiving complaints against the PTV’s programme aired on Eid.
The protestors demanded an unconditional apology from the PTV management, otherwise, they will continue to protest throughout the province, Islamabad and Karachi.