Afghan President: The Ban On Telecast Of Indian TV Plays Is Right

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said that the decision to ban telecast of Indian television plays and commercial ads in Afghanistan is right. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat quoted Karzai as saying: ‘‘My government believes in the freedom of the media. But like other nations, we also want that our television networks show our culture based on our cultural and ethical norms.’’

According to the report, the Afghan Ministry of Culture has banned the telecast of Indian dramas, saying ‘‘these programs are promoting Hindu culture and civilizations which are against Islamic traditions.’’ In recent years, Indian films and television dramas have acquired mass popularity in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, April 23, 2008

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