Marriyum imposes life ban on poet who ridiculed Pushtun community

Move comes after rights activists and political leaders demand action against the poet and PTV comedy show's staff

PESHAWAR: Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Marriyum  Auranzeb has taken serious notice of a programme aired by PTV in which a poet ridiculed and stigmatized the Pushtun community, imposing a life time ban on the participation of the concerned poet in any programme of the official channel.

The minister also directed the secretary information, who is also the managing director of PTV, to submit a report about the incident after holding an inquiry against the PTV officials who were responsible for the regrettable episode.



Earlier, Federal Secretary Information and Broadcasting Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera also took notice of the controversial poetic programme and sought apology from Pashtuns over hurting of their sentiments, because of the stigmatisation of their race by the poetconcerned.

The federal secretary said PTV, being a national institution of the country, is following a very strict and impartial editorial policy, which does not allow stigmatization, profiling or stereotyping of any individual, caste or community.

He also held out assurance of taking strict action against PTV officials who were found responsible for airing of the controversial programme.