Indian soaps big hits in Pakistan

Indian television dramas and stage and music shows, which have witnessed several bans in Pakistan, are now being beamed in Pakistan again and are becoming quite popular. The TV channels were allowed to broadcast in March - after President Pervez Musharraf sacked the chief justice - in an apparent attempt to switch people’s interest from politics to popular channels from India.

Once privately owned television channels in Pakistan started giving extensive coverage to the chief justice, cable operators were asked to start relaying Indian channels. In the process, TV dramas like “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”, “Thodi Khushi Thode Gham” and “Ek Ladki Anjani Si” ended up becoming big hits in Pakistan.

Some Pakistani channels objected to the government move, saying it would be a blow to their advertisement revenue. But the government refused to back off, pushing local television channels to bring in Indian stars and characters to their shows. “Salam Namaste” is one such programme on AAJ television in which popular Indian film stars and singers are invited. GEO has started a morning with Nadia Khan where Indians are frequently invited to attract audiences in Pakistan.