Television is an adaptive medium and can follow different approaches when efficaciously and judiciously used and will definitely contribute to the betterment of society in general. This paper is an effort to trace social impact of  Khyber television channel on the Pakhtuns around the globe particularly in the Pakistani Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

INTRODUCTION OF KHYBER

Television with its myriad possibilities of informing, entertaining and educating its viewers and also with its unequivocal consummate artistry to captivate the minds of millions, carved its own niche in the hearts of masses.

Khyber, World’s only Pashto Entertainment Channel, has been the voice of Pakhtuns since 2004 by promoting the issues and problems of Pakhtuns by presenting dramas, talk shows, musical shows for all age brackets and all walks of life.

Khyber TV was launched in July 2004. Ever since its inception Khyber TV has focused on highlighting the core issue pertaining to Pukhtun community. Khyber TV has been working relentlessly for over fifteen years to create awareness of pertinent and burning issues.  Khyber TV has played its role for the betterment of Pushtuns. Khyber TV has specially designed programs for creating awareness and above all played its role in curbing the menace of extremism. Through its different programs. Since long Pakhtuns have been exploited in the name of religion and identity by the selfish and treacherous entities, and that’s the sole reason why Pakhtuns are lagging behind from other nations. Khyber has imparted and instill awareness and perceptiveness in them. As a result now Pakhtuns are more prudent and actually aware of their rights and issues.

Godwin and Schramm (1968) have promulgated that Television is indeed an effective educational medium in the modern society. They reported that by telecasting effective educational programmes which strengthens the curriculum, television can become an effective medium of education. Stainfield (1972) has analyzed the relation between Television medium and the social behaviour of viewers. He has advised that it is necessary that television should create meaningful attitude and behaviour thereby stopping taking an unnecessary horse ride on viewers. AVT Khyber  has played a vital role in the process of social change by acting as a catalyst in the Pakhtun society and is the prime example of this research as it has affected the whole Pakhtun society positively in promoting education, women empowerment and a sense of rights.

KHYBER TV’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT

Khyber’s Social Aspects

The social aspects of Khyber TV are influences this channel has had on Pakhtun society since its inception. The belief that this Khyber TV Impact has been dramatic has been largely unchallenged since its inception. Khyber TV has become a part and parcel of the lives of Pakhtun viewers all over the world. The popularity of Khyber TV is ruling the Pashto Television Industry globally, nationally and locally. Khyber TV through its programming is reflecting the social fabric of a Pakhtun society. It is not just a medium of entertainment; rather it’s a vibrant tool for cultural conservation.  Cultures that lack arts and its allied forms rapidly stagnate and finally get diminished.

Khyber’s role in Women Empowerment

Khyber TV does not lag behind in its attempt of attracting women audience with new and unique storylines. Though in KP patriarchal families dominate the society, the role of women is considered vital with issues related to the practice of culture and carrying the values to the next generations. Khyber TV’s content is mostly dominated by family dramas and house hold issues to attract the women audience.

How Khyber TV caused a decrease in Domestic Violence

Khyber TV  is associated with significant decreases in the reported acceptability of domestic violence towards women and son preference, as well as increases in women’s autonomy. It is also revealed that exposure to Khyber TV increases school enrollment for younger children, perhaps through increased participation of women in household decision-making. In Khyber TV Programmes,  the social, cultural and economic values are mostly portrayed as positive.

Khyber TV discouraged anti-social Activities

Khyber TV, in its programmes, has discouraged anti-social activities like smoking, kidnapping and violence. Hospitality, bravery, honesty, compassion forms the bed-rock of Pakhtun culture and these are depicted in almost every programme.

Khyber provides Entertainment for the entire Family

Khyber is a single source of entertainment for the entire family in a Pashtun Household. Entertainment has psychological, social, and economic purposes. They are interrelated. Entertainment provides the audience a respite from labor or work. It provides a distraction and an emotional release from the day-to-day frustrations people amass. When the entertainment is with others, either via presence or affinity, people feel that they are part of a tribe or collective. They can experience a sense of belonging.

Khyber is Pakistan’s Premier Pashto TV Channel geared towards providing quality entertainment TV Programmes for the entire family.  Khyber offers everything from kids’ shows to quality dramas. Khyber TV stands out as the most viewed entertainment Pashto channel in Pakistan with a regular lineup of most liked drama serials. Khyber TV provides positive entertainment for the Pakhtuns while explaining their codes of hospitality, culture, ethos, traditions, honor and pride in the right perspective. Khyber musical shows and programs are disseminating the message of romanticism and nationalism among its target audience. Pashto music is light and mesmerized the listeners.  Pashto music is full of romanticism. Besides, post-modern Pashto music also reflects the idea of liberty, independence as well as Pakhtun Nationalism.

Pashto CD dramas and movies were posing a challenge to cultural norms and values in a way that was not only unacceptable but also downright shameful. Khyber started providing positive entertainment for the Pakhtuns to the extent that the CD Drama business has almost come to a half. There is robust evidence that exposure to a particular behavior on television changes behavior in the audience.  In most cases, the generally positive media portrayal of a role model leads to imitation.

Khyber’s Economic Impact

Khyber has changed the Pakhtun society in so  many different ways and continues to change.  It has had many different affects on the economy.  Khyber is a marketplace, theater, research tool, school, entertainment, and a healthy pastime. One of the biggest effects Khyber TV has on the Pakhtun economy is advertisement.  More and more people turn to television for advertisement.  After watching advertisements on Khyber people are heading to the store, looking on the internet, or calling the 0800 number trying to purchase the product or products. Khyber, apart from providing job earning opportunities, directly and indirectly, has a reasonable role in improving the efficiency of the Pakhtun economy by providing actors, more and better information with which to make decisions and improving stability.

Khyber TV as an educational tool

The success stories of using Khyber Television for education are remarkably tremendous.   Khyber has performed exceptionally well as an educational means especially for the younger Pakhtun generation. Khyber, through its screen, is educating its viewers by bringing awareness regarding multiple issues related to the social and cultural norms of Pakhtun society and rest of the country. Khyber takes pride in grooming the minds of its viewers through its educational and awareness programmes on a regular basis.

Khyber is Promoting Health and healthy behavior

Khyber shows information about desirable (or undesirable) health behavior in the society hence promoting societal health as a whole. The channel has telecasted thousands of morning shows and other programmes featuring renowned herbalists, medical doctors, researchers, and health experts who provide guidance and support AVT Khyber’s viewers to maintain their health.

Khyber and Govt. response

Due to Khyber programming; the government response has improved because it has given a voice to the vulnerable There is a robust link between media development and government responsiveness, especially to the poor, who have numerical strength in a democracy but are often ignored by politicians. A media sector that reaches and gives voice to the vulnerable can create informed citizens that can better monitor the actions of incumbent politicians and use this information in their voting decisions.

Khyber and voting behavior

There is no concept of modern democracy without free and fair elections. Similarly, there is no concept of free and fair elections in the absence of a free mass media. So, democracy, elections and media are indispensable for each other. In Pakistan since the 70 years of its establishment, elections have been conducted with irregular intervals. It has been observed that television is perceived as the most preferred medium by the people for acquiring political information during elections followed by interpersonal channels and newspapers respectively.

Khyber has played an important role in creating political awareness among the Pakhtuns. It has catalyzed positive changes in Pakhtun society by providing the information that influences public opinion. Khyber leads to increases in awareness and changes in behavior across social issue. AVT Khyber has played its role in the overwhelming victory of PTI in KP during the past two general elections. The shows on Khyber influenced decision process of its viewers and shaped their perceptions for Pakistan.

Khyber as Opinion Leader

Studies reveal that television plays an important role in creating political awareness among the youth. The youth, in KP, agree that they vote for certain political party because they knew from Khyber that political party is doing good things for the society. Pakhtuns do watch programmes on Khyber and based on that they asses a political a party and vote for them. That means Khyber is playing the role of an opinion leader by projecting political issues before its viewers.

Conclusion

The role of Khyber TVin social change is not in doubt. The role covers social uprising, education, politics, family system, education and economy. The television sets public agenda and act as opinion leader in the process of social change. Khyber News, the sister channel of Khyber, has contributed extensively towards the acceleration of socio-economic change and the promotion of national integration in the country.  The emphasis in the News and current affairs Programs is on events and issues of interest to the Pakhtun population in Pakistan, Afghanistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world.

The post THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF KHYBER TV ON PAKHTUN SOCIETY: By Idrees Rajput appeared first on Khyber TV - Pashto Entertainment TV Channel.

Different artists and singers rose to fame just because of  Khyber TV.

1. Qazi Arif

Qazi Arif is the most talented and versatile artist Avt khyber has ever produced. He has proved his skills and talent in almost every type of medium. He has done numerous characters.

Qazi Arif is matchless when it comes to acting, mimicking, and above all spreading happiness. Qazi Arif has played various roles during the last 17 years and almost all of those roles and characters are imprinted forever in the minds of viewers.

Qazi Arif’s talent has been recognized by prominent personalities as well. Avt Khyber is proud to produce and nurture such a brilliant talent. His magical performances in different shows of Avt Khyber are hard to forget. Qazi Arif’s performance has changed the course of Pashto television and it is just due to his brilliance in comic roles.

Qazi Arif is a superb host, an excellent comedian, and a brilliant artist. Qazi Arif has hosted different special event show from different stations as well.

Cafe De Chopal was one of the most famous shows of Avt Khyber and Qazi Arif played a central role in it. Qazi Arif is also a Drama Director, Writer, Host, and Anchor.

Khyber Show, hosted by Qazi Arif was based on the format of “Tariq Aziz Show” the show received tremendous response from the public. Qazi Arif character of Shano ustaad was a mega-hit.

His latest acting in Drama Deedan was exceptional. He has hosted different morning shows of avt khyber as well. Qazi Arif is well known for his character in Khyber Beats Platform which was one of the most famous songs of Avtkhyber. Avt Khyber has given tribute to Qazi Arif in the show Khyber Sang Pa Sang. Qazi Arif appeared as a new character in every episode of “Da Mahjabeen Lounge” which speaks volumes of his talent, ability, and skill.

Without any doubt, “Avt Khyber” has provided a platform to many artists and singers who excelled in their careers.

2. Zeek Afridi

Zeek Afridi is one of the most prominent names of all these artists/singers.

Zeek Afridi who belongs to the Afridi tribe of Tirah rose to fame due to his famous song Bibi sherina. Avt Khyber provided him the platform to show his talent to the world. This song was a mega-hit song. Later Zeek Afridi released an Urdu version of the song as well. After getting the recognition just because of Avt Khyber he was nominated for different awards as well. In 2017 he won the “Pride of Peshawar” Award. Zeek Afridi has also sung the official anthem for Peshawar Zalmi.

3. Bakhtiar Khattak

Bakhtiar Khattak is a big fan of Khan Abdul Ghani Khan’s poetry and it is Avt Khyber that has provided him the real platform to express himself to the fullest. Bakhtiar Khattak’s personality and features are a true representation of Pukhuns. Although initially, he sang an Urdu song and even played a role in PTV drama, but it was Avt Khyber which truly provided him a platform to show his abilities and talents. Bakhtiar Khattak who is a great Pashto musician and a great singer as well has hosted so many music-related shows on Avt Khyber. Bakhtiar Khattak received tremendous responses from his different shows on Avt Khyber. Now different brands are inviting him to represent him as a brand ambassador. Avt Khyber has been and will always be a source of promoting real talent like Bakhtiar Khattak. Bakhtiar Khattak leading shows with Avt Khyber are Khyber Beats, Da Awazoona Safar, Naway Rang, Stayena and Eid Special Shows.

4. Hamayoon Khan

Hamayoon Khan, Pashto singer, and musician is another success story from Peshawar. Avt Khyber has played a very important role in his success.

His most famous song is “Gule Ro Ro Raza” which he sang during one of the musical shows of Avt Khyber. During his musical program on avt khyber he did lots of experimentation of fusion (Folk & Pop)

which he later utilized in Coke Studio Season 5. The main shows hosted by Hamayoon Khan at Avt khybers are Khyber Beats, Da Awazoona Safar, Naway Rang, Stayena.

5. Shahid Malang

Shahid Malang is a brilliant Rubab Player and a very talented singer as well. Avt Khyber has played a very massive role in his success.

Shahid Malang has played a very important role in the success of “Sheeno Meeno Show”. Sheeno Meeno show is one of the leading shows of Avt Khyber. Pukhtoons from all over the world watch this amazing show of Avt Khyber. Shahid Malang’s tappy in Sheeno Meeno Show of Avt Khyber are liked by millions of Pakhtoons. Just because the platform provided by Avt Khyber Shahid Malang is now recognized by the masses. His laughter is infectious and he cannot hold it back.

Shahid Malang is a very humble and down-to-earth personality and due to avt khyber now he is being invited to different musical events of the country. He has received massive public positive responses from these events. Not only that he was also part of different Award Shows. Shahid Malang performance in Avt Khyber show “Staray Mashay” back in 2016 was phenomenal.  Shahid Malang’s performance in Avt Khyber show “Da Khyber Makhaam” was very memorable.

Avt Khyber shows have groomed his personality and talent in the best possible way. Credit goes to AVT Khyber for nurturing his talent.

6. Almas Khalil

Almas Khalil’s story is one of the most amazing success stories. He rose to fame due to his song “Pregida Ma Pregida” which he sang with “Bakhtiar Khattak” and “Hamayoon Khan” during one of the musical shows

of Avt Khyber. After that, there is no looking back for him. Avt khyber then provided him many opportunities to show his singing talent.

He was invited to different mega events organized by AVT Khyber. Almas Khalil performance in 2016 during the show Jwand Khkulay De of AVT Khyber’s 12th Anniversary is the best of all.

Not even a single singer can come close to the popularity level which Almas Khalil has gained especially on social media. Avt Khyber had identified and recognized his talent and gave him enough opportunity to flourish.

7. Shahenshah Afridi 

Shahenshah Afridi is one of the leading talents of Pashto comedy. He is also famous for his natural and original acting and mimicry talent. Shahenshah Afridi’s acting in Avt Khyber’s show “Kour Ore” is simply outstanding. When it comes to Pashto comedy his the most famous actor among the masses. He has a great social media following as well. Shahenshah Afridi has also performed on the special events of Avt Khyber and he is well known for his superb acting in skits. He has performed many roles and has won the hearts of millions. His comedic talents and skills are exceptional. He has been invited as a guest in different Ramzan transmissions of Avt Khyber as well. His character of Sada Gul in “Da Khyber Milmanah” is the most relatable character for the viewers. His performance in “Khyber Nights” (which is one of the most interesting shows of Avt khyber) was exceptional. Shahenshah Afridi also played a very different and unique role in Ulas Ao Pulas, a comedy series of Avt Khyber, this was the starting point of his successful career. Shahenshah Afridi is a great stage performer as well. Shahenshah Afridi is part of Avt Khyber for decades now and he has really improved his skills during this time. Shahenshah Afridi is now a household name when it comes to Pashto comedy.

8. Mahjabeen Ahsan

Mahjabeen Ahsan, the queen of Avt khyber, is the most decent and elegant host of Avt Khyber. She has hosted different morning shows and special shows on Avt Khyber. Special Shows include Eid Shows, Anniversary shows. Mahjabeen Ahsan is widely known due to morning shows of Avt Khyber (Khyber Sahar). “Da Mahjabeen Lounge” was also hosted by Mahjabeen Ahsan and received a tremendous response from the viewers.

Mahjabeen Ahsan is now well recognized by the masses and she has also appeared on the mainstream channels in different characters. She has also hosted Pehchan Pakistan (Morning Show) on PTV Global. Credit goes to AVT Khyber for nurturing her talent by continuously providing her with different platforms to showcase her talent.

9. Meena Shams

Meena Shams is one of the leading female hosts of Avt Khyber. Meena shams has hosted many special shows, for example, Eid Shows, Anniversary Shows, Independence day shows on Avt Khyber.

Avt Khyber has proved her platform to show her hosting talent to the world. She is well known for hosting Sheeno Meeno Show on Avt Khyber. She has acted in different avt khyber’s dramas as well.

She has made her mark in her acting career as well. Meena Shams is the face of Avt Khyber when it comes to the morning shows. She hosts morning shows of Avt khyber by the name of Khyber Sahar.

Avt Khyber has not only introduced my talented artists, hosts, anchors, directors, and producers but also through different programs introduced rising stars of the country as well.

10. Zaki ur Rehman

Since childhood Zaki ur Rehman was interested in singing, skits, and comparing, but it was avt khyber that provided him a platform to excel in his career. His first ever show in avt khyber was an Eid Show in Islamabad Club. It was superbly hosted by zaki ur rehman in the most original and natural way. After that, there was no looking back. He has hosted morning shows, Eid Shows, shows about 23 March, Independence Day, Anniversary, and Ramzan Transmission. He is very much inspired by the theme of Ellen Show. He is of the view that he has learned a lot from the concept of that show.

Zaki ur Rehman is a big fan of Moin Akthar and he learned a lot from his humorist style, Zaki ur Rehman is of the view that moin Akhtar has a great influence on his hosting career. Zaki ur Rehman loved his charming voice.

Zaki ur Rehman is a very humble and down-to-earth personality. He learns from each and every person around him. He says that his all producers have groomed him and he has learned a lot from them. Avt Khyber has provided zaki ur rehman so many mediums to express his talent so that he could reach his true potential.

The best part of Zaki ur Rehman’s hosting is that he covers serious topics in the most light-hearted manner. Mehdi Hassan is his favorite singer. Zaki ur Rehman desire and aim is to become the best anchor in the world. Zaki ur Rehman is a good motivational speaker as well.

Avt Khyber has provided zaki ur rehman opportunities to interview politicians, cricket players, singers, artists, and so many other renowned personalities as well. Zakir ur Rehman has hosted Da Khyber Milmanah, Khyber Nights, Avt.com, Khyber Beats Classics, Jwand, and so many other shows.

11. Shan Khan

Shan Khan is a famous singer, composer, and lyricist. He is famous for his song “Tum Chale Aoo Paharo Ke Qasam”. His father Kamal Mahsood remained unknown during his lifetime. Kamal Mahsood was a singer, belonging to Mahsud Tribe, from Dera Ismail Khan (Khyber Pakthunkhwa), he died due to a heart attack and he could only launch his one audio volume “Tum Chaley Aao Paharo ki Qasam”. Kamal Mahsood did not get the recognition which he deserved, so keeping that in mind Avt khyber provided Shan Khan a platform to excel in his career.

Avt Khyber identified and realized his exceptional talent and promoted him by inviting him to almost every special show so that his voice could be reached to millions of people.

Just because of Avt Khyber Shan Khan is now performing at different venues and festivals in Pakistan and abroad as well.

Avt Khyber is the true promoter of real talent. Avt Khyber has and will continue its mission to give a platform to talented persons.

Shan Khan has performed in Avt Khyber’s Morning shows, Eid Shows,  23 March shows, Independence Day, and Anniversary shows.

12. Asif Ali Yousafzai

Avt Khyber identified Asif Ali yousafazi’s talent of hosting, anchoring instantly. Asif Ali yousafzai is a very positive and enthusiastic person. He is a very good director as well and has directed many special shows, teleplays, and songs as well. He is more focused on Production and direction-related work which include comedy shows, cultural shows and he covers Mega-Events as well. Staso Khwakha is one of his most famous roadshows. Apart from that, he has also hosted shows like Kali Wal Rangoona, Da Zrrah Khabaray, Paighamoona, Pakhair, Grand Musical Shows, Khyber Beats Mast, and Eid Special show of Avt Khyber.

For Avt Khyber Asif Ali Yousafzi has also directed a TeleFilm by the name of Chaal. Another famous song Intizar was also directed by Asif Ali Yousafzai for Avt Khyber. Most of Sheeno Meeno Eid Special shows have been directed by Asif Ali Yousafzai.

13. Sadia Gul

Sadia Gul is famous for her character in Avt Khyber’s most famous sitcom kor ore. Kour ore is one of the most beloved sitcoms in the history of sitcoms produced by Avt Khyber.

Sadia Gul dialogue delivery and facial expression are simply amazing. Sadia Gul has done different morning shows on Avt Khyber as well. It is just due to Avt Khyber that she is now being recognized as one of the leading artists when it comes to Pashto Comedy. Get goes to Avt Khyber for nurturing talents like Sadia Gul.

14. Ahmad Sher

Ahmad Sher is one of the most talented chefs Avt Khyber has ever produced. He has also hosted different morning shows on Avt Khyber.

Ahmad Sher has the tremendous ability to cook the most delicious food. His top shows on avt khyber are Khowandawar Khyber, Da Korba Khowanduna, Da Dalda Khawandoona, Da Kashmir Pakhlay. Ahmed Sher stands out from other chefs due to his cooking skills.

So many talented young chefs are inspired by his cooking style. Ahmad sher knows this fact very well that cooking is an art.

He also knows how to serve food in the best possible way. Ahmad sher is part of Avt Khyber for the last many years and it is due to Avt Khyber that now he is being recognized as one of the best chefs of the region.

By Naila Javed

The post Famous faces introduced by Khyber TV appeared first on Khyber TV - Pashto Entertainment TV Channel.

What Khyber TV Means to Expats?

“Munga pa KHYBER TV mayyan yu ………. (We Love Khyber TV)” said by one of the regular caller in Khyber Middle East Live transmission who is a Pathan from Pakistan residing in Dubai. For him the only source that makes him feel connected to his soil is to watch his country’s TV channel in the medium of language he speaks at home with his children “Pashto”. The happiness that we can sense in the voice of several callers we receive everyday are mostly the community who are trying their level best to make ends meet back home by working unstoppable; for them Khyber TV channels are not just TV transmissions for their leisure time but it’s a window where they peep into their homes in Pakistan and express their heart out, feeling complete authority over words they use as it’s in their own national and regional languages.

Several regional dialects from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hazara, Azad Kashmir, Mansehra, Gilgit, Quetta, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu are the beauties that lifts our viewer’s patriotic emotions living in foreign countries so much that they send their word of appreciation to us in every way they get a chance. We get to receive calls from Europe, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Honking, Canada and all the regions of Khaleej territory where Pakistanis look forward for their turn to participate in the live transmissions we broadcast from Dubai Studios. I have witnessed moments in which the audience of Khyber TV owned the channel as their own family member when we aired live transmissions for them on occasions like Ramadan, Eid and even the independence day of our beloved country Pakistan. Here, I must say that apart from daily life an expat misses home more when such occasions are happening; we as channel representing the country abroad becomes the only source for the people to feel the essence of spending family time in which we play the role of a bridge between them and their loved ones who are living far from them.

Ambassadors of Khyber TV Screens

Looking at Khyber TV initiatives from viewer’s perspective is a treat to watch but then there is another side of being recognized as face of Khyber TV screen “OUR ANCHORS”. Every face that appears on Khyber TV screen gets the warm welcome from the Pakistanis living abroad and they own them as their family members. I have been told stories by our anchors that they were recognized by fans and they never hesitate to tell us in public what AVT channels (Khyber TV, Kay2 TV, Khyber News and Khyber Middle East) screen means to them. Representing this channel is something that makes you feel proud and connected to your roots amongst the strange crowd that every expat feels when they are living abroad. Wearing the channel logo makes us see the eyes of our people looking at our representatives with hope and pride that there is a platform on which they can make their voice audible. Our channel has huge history of raising issues that were neglected and taking them to the concerned authorities through the faces that have an impact when it comes to society.

We never neglected the responsibility of becoming our people’s channel so whenever and wherever we were called we answered with all our efforts resulting our expats to have confidence on us. In abroad we stand together as one nation regardless of which part we belong in Pakistan. Our anchors and team members makes sure that every Pakistani’s story is said and heard to their brothers back home where they must know how well they have represented as an ambassador.

Khyber Middle East TV “Pride of the Expats”

27-09-2019 The date that completely changed the meaning of representing expats of Pakistan as a separate broadcasting channel. This was the epic idea by the man himself Mr. Kamran Hamid Raja (OUR MASHAR) to give the command of this new member born under the AVT Channels entity to Mr. Jawad Hamid Raja who could see his vision of making the medium approachable to people and have made sure that none of the stone remains unturned in order to find creative and hardworking Pakistanis who have not just seen struggle and brutal times while reaching their goals but have missed the precious moments with their loved ones. Jawad Hamid Raja knew that with the support of his Team leader Mr. Zamarud Buneri he will make this channel a platform for the stories that should get aired for the whole world to know how talented our nation is.

“Shagou kai Lalouna” (Pearls in the Sand), “Jwand Da Musafirou” (Life of an expat), “Middle East Forum” and “Middle East Time” were the programs that are exclusively dedicated to portray the success stories of Pakistanis found in the crowd of other nationalities. To make the beautiful connection of our expats with the traditional music of Pakistan especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa we made it possible to get the talented singers and musicians to broadcast live music for our viewers through the screen of Khyber Middle East TV. “Tang Takor”, “Marhaba Bekum”, “Khabaray Aou Sandaray”, “Da Naghmou Shor”, “Zouq e Ahang”, “Da tik tak Sho”, “Sandaray bil Arabia”, “Da Musafirou Khwakha” are the projects we have been airing successfully to meet the musical and live interactive requirements of our viewers via calls and social media messages. We even felt the responsibility of considering awareness and addressing the health issues of our people residing away from their homeland not knowing the proper language to convey their matters. “Daru Durmal” a project that was utterly designed to connect medical experts to the patients via calls in live transmissions from Dubai studios; the beauty of these programs is the mode of communication used which represents the majority of expats “Pushto”. The dedication behind such efforts was to become strength of our people and the results speaks for itself; we are now the most watchable and the most trusted Pakistani channel broadcasting Channel from UAE.

The TV Channel of Diversity

Khyber Middle East TV even became the platform to display the talents across other nationalities that includes Afghani, Arabic, Moroccan, Iranian, Indian and what we found after working with them is that when you are an expat you will relate to each other’s stories very conveniently. Sharing the same process of struggle when you are new to a country, fears and hesitations to adjust in a new society, pain of getting separated from family back there and determination of becoming the best version of yourself; these are few similarities I have perceived so far when it comes to share your journey with your co-expats.

Food is a major factor that represents any tradition of a country; we as a channel have always kept it on priority to give coverage to all those food chains that represents a culture of a country. Occasions like Ramadan is a beauty of such country like UAE where people from several nationalities are seen to sit under the same roof to break their fast and share the blessings. Khyber Middle East TV screens are always decorated with such varieties where the only strong bond that can be figured out between people is Humanity. When I see our channel’s screens rushed with the callers speaking different languages there I can sense the power of trust that people have led on us and an essence of responsibility that is appreciated by almost every viewer we come across.

Each day is a new day at work for me where the moment I step into Khyber Middle East TV studios creative ideas and innovative projection is something I could smell in the air starting from studio room to the MCR and from GM’s to COO’s office. It’s always the same questions that my team answers in their own different but beautiful ways that “What more should be done to become people’s platform? “How to become more approachable to the voices that are unheard? What can be done more to make our expats FEEL AT HOME? ………..

So, the story doesn’t end over here; it has actually just started. We have a long way to go; because the far we go the more connected we feel to our nation as

WE ARE THE CHANNEL BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

The post Khyber TV ! FEELS LIKE HOME: By Erum Inam appeared first on Khyber TV - Pashto Entertainment TV Channel.

TV Dramas

TV dramas are one of those marvels of modern media that have revolutionized the life of every man and women and even children try to find their life styles in these TV plays. Dramas in Pakistan started from the foundation of Pakistan television in 1964. The dramas that were shown back then are still remembered to this day. Those dramas represented every culture of Pakistan in a way that all age segments could relate to. But then unfortunately with the expansion of television channels, true essence of cultural depiction diluted. This is when Khyber tv decided to step in the market because rest of the channel were influenced by our neighbouring countries dramas. Our channels were showing the culture that not only non Pakistanis, but even the Pakistani masses couldn’t relate to. Khyber tv took into consideration the fact that five languages have more than ten million speakers each in Pakistan: Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki and Urdu Khyber tv dared to touch the social issues of Pakhtoon community so as to create an awareness along with educating them regarding different stereotypes associated with this ethnic group. We will be discussing some dramas of Khyber TV that:

• Promoted artistic education
• Gender balance sensitization
• Youth development
• Women empowerment
• Fight against drug abuse
• Reinforce and promote unity and reconciliation

KUNDA JINE:

This drama of khyber tv is all about Women empowerment. It revolves around an old woman who becomes a widow and her struggles for survival.

ARMAN:

Another khyber tv’s drama that highlights the much talked about topic ie Domestic Violence. It stars a legend Firdous Jamal. Drama beautifully portrays family lineage showing different generations living together.

Specially after 9/11 there was a forcing need to promote the culture of peace and show the world our true, colourful and rich culture to overshadow the terrorist labelled tag west had wrongly perceived about Pakistan. To change this game of perceptions, Khyber tv made serious efforts to produce dramas along with the change in their programming scheme. A few notable dramas include:

AFTER THE BLAST:

This emotional roller coaster drama starts with the ticket checker who dies in an unfortunate train blast leaving behind his sick wife, a jobless son and a daughter. Son strives hard to get a job in order to meet the ends but fails. Daughter eventually ends up getting astray from the right path. This aspect shows another dilemma of our society where girls have no option other than opting for the unethical means. Late ticket checker son, desperate of finding a job ends up meeting a terrorist who offers him a handsome amount of money in exchange of taking a suitcase to a specific place. This drama has magnificently captured the emotions and the tragedy family of a deceased soul has to go through.

ALLAH O AKBAR:

Another effort in this regard was the Khyber tv’s drama Allah o Akbar. Story revolves around a school teacher who was held captive by the terrorists and how he starts teaching and preaching them the actual message of God Almighty. This drama is inspired by real events.

RUKA VARA:

Another production to change the mindset of extremists by Khyber tv. Story is a travel journey of a passenger in taxi from Lahore to Islamabad. On they way driver and passenger share their stories and eventually after reaching the destination, terrorist decides to call off his plan.

SWARAH:

Another beautiful production of Khyber tv is drama serial Sarah that focuses on another important social issues of girls getting married off to Quran. This yet again is a sensitive topic and involves people sentiments. Khyber tv gained a lot of appreciation and applause for covering this topic in a way that it created awareness and education.

ROKA LARA:

Khyber tv produced this drama that highlights yet another prevailing social issue of human rights violation and discrimination on the basis of gender identity in Pakistan. Roka Lara depicts how transgender people face harassment, mistreatment and exclusion from society. And How an astrayed transgender tries to financially support his family.

CHAN GALA:

This drama of Khyber tv was to create awareness regarding another important issue that people of rural area specifically face a lot. They think paper marriage is a short cut to get a green card and eventually their life would be settled after moving abroad. Khyber’s team went to Thailand and Bangkok for this shoot.

ALWAT:

Talking about current statistics, about 3.3 million of Pakistani children are trapped in child labour, depriving them of their childhood, health and education and condemning them to a life of poverty and want (Reference: UNICEF Pakistan).

This drama revolves around a child mechanic with big dreams of getting rich one day. And gives a message in the end that everything is possible if you have a will for it.

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Those were the times when Afghanistan was theater of US led war on terror and cities of Peshawar valley were specifically while rest of Pakistan was generally affected of its spillover in the form of terrorism.

Most of the terrorist organizations e.g. Al-Qaeda, Taliban and Haqani network were defeated and on the run which later took refuge in the lawless regions between Pak-Afghan borders to regroup for guerilla warfare against coalition forces in Afghanistan and its core ally in region Pakistan.

Entertainment industry was the 1st casualty of this war as cinemas and theaters were deserted after most of the artists, actors, singers and technicians were fleeing in the face of threats from militants.

Hardcore militants considered music, movies and dramas as un-Islamic besides sports festivals, extracurricular activities in educational institutes and music in marriage parties as against the culture thus society was suffocating.

During those murky times underground production of vulgar CD dramas and films were flourishing due to the vacuum as people have less opportunities for healthy entertainment.

AVT network and Khyber news provided healthy entertainment and accurate information in a challenging circumstances and created awareness besides enlightenment and moderation of deeply radicalized populace of society to prevent them of falling prey to the religious extremism.

Physically whipping out terrorists from certain areas through military operations were not enough as extremist ideologies shall have been defeated as well and fear of terrorism shall have been razed from the hearts and minds.

For that purpose a strong counter narrative through an understandable medium of communication was need of the hour.

Religious fanatics kept trying to motivating highly susceptible segments of society, through their falsified propaganda and the state kept compromising unless the carnage of APS in Peshawar on 16 December 2014.

After that incident our civil-military establishment has apparently realized that terrorism and extremism is the real monster which needs to be eradicated at any cast.

For a long time AVT network and Khyber news has been providing a strong platform and providing counter narrative not just explaining the real and modern face of Islam and culture but also trying to inculcate the spirit of hope.

Now as 20th anniversary of 9/11 is approaching and US led coalition forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan so the subsequent effects on Pakistan shall be a worrisome factor for those in the helm of affairs.

With looming civil war in Afghanistan and the consequential mass exodus of local population toward neighboring countries, in these crises times Pakistan need to be more vigilant and need robust border management beside active leadership.

Though it might have negative effect for Pakistan both in border areas and city centers but crises situation also offers some opportunities if there is vigilant leadership.

Afghans, no matter how impartial they claim, shall end up seeing Pakistan benefitting from their miseries and are seldom grateful but same time they see Pakistan as a safe haven in the times of crises.

A generation of Afghans have studied in Pakistan’s universities then worked here for decades, besides they have integrated in this society with friends and as mentioned earlier families here.

What shall Pakistan do:

Pakistan shall act robustly in making certain laws, e.g. granting citizenship or permanent resident status for the refugees:

• Who can invest a certain amount of money in Pakistan.
• Discourage the use of Hundi/Hawala etc and make it easy for them to create a bank account.
• Those who could build businesses and create jobs.
• A robust media campaign alleviating negative image of Pakistan based on facts that the great games in the region is the reason for their misery.

Due to the developments mentioned above terrorism is on the rise and during July 2021 at least 15 major incidents of terrorism with a total of 35 causalities and 24 injuries have been reported across the country.

In those incidents of terrorism at least 15 civilians including 9 Chinese citizens and 19 personnel’s of security forces have been killed while 9 terrorists have also been executed in different encounters with police and military personnel’s.

Khyber news have covered all those incidents promptly in news and then followed up with expert opinions and comments in different programs.

Those programs include Cross Talk telecasted on Monday 10 pm live from Peshawar station and hosted by Sayed Wiqas Ali Shah.

Those issues are discussed with more focus in program Maraka live and recorded on Khyber Tuesday and Wednesday 10 pm hosted by renowned journalist Hasan Khan.

Similarly program Dateline Peshawar with Aqeel Yousafzi, Shahrah-e-Dastoor with Rasheed Safi and Connect-Afpak again with Wiqas Ali Shah are viable platforms to discuss those issues.

Details of Terrorist incidents in KP during July 2021

July – 1

Six people were injured in an explosion in front of Askari Park in Quetta, more than three kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast according to officials. The blast occurred close to a moving Frontier Corps vehicle. Witnesses said the explosion damaged several nearby buildings.

July – 2

Three children were killed in toy bomb explosion in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said the minor victims aged six, seven and twelve years were brothers. They found the toy bomb in a drain and brought it to their home where it went off.

July – 3

Four Security Forces personnel sustained injuries after a remote-controlled bomb exploded near their vehicle in Girah Galdad area of Kulachi tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan. According to Police, the patrol vehicle was targeted with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by the roadside. Same day suspected TTP militants Imran Gandapur, identified as Haji Akbar and Ajab Khan aka Usman, were killed during an operation conducted by the Police in Dera Ismail Khan.

July – 4

A retired Police officer and his son were killed while two others sustained injuries when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire in Shahi Bazaar of Khairpur city in Sindh.

July – 5

Five militants were killed in the exchange of fire with CTD personnel in Hazarganji area of Quetta. Arms and explosive material were recovered from militant hideout.

July – 11

At least three Policemen were injured when their Police van was attacked with an IED) in Ghoriwala town in Bannu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Police vehicle got damaged in the blast.

July – 13

Three militants, an officer and a soldier of Pak Army were killed during an operation in Zewa area in Kurram District. According to ISPR, during an operation in exchange of fire Captain Basit (25), resident of Haripur, and Sepoy Hazrat Bilal (22), resident of Orakzai were killed.

July – 14

A vehicle laden with explosives rammed a convoy of Chinese workers headed to the Dasu Hydropower Plant project site at Dasu in Kohistan kill at least 13 persons, including nine Chinese, one Pakistani national and two Frontier Corps. Two buses carrying workers from the China Gezhouba Group Co, a construction company based in Wuhan, China, were badly damaged in the explosion.

July – 15  

A captain and a soldier of Pakistan army were killed in IED attack in Khuda Bux Bazar area Pasni town in Gwadar District of Balochistan. Captain Affan Masood and Sepoy Babar Zaman embraced Shahadat

July – 17   

A Police van was partially damaged when an IED planted along a road went off in Takwara area of Kulachi tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan. All Police personnel, including Deputy Superintendent of Police and Station House Officer Kulachi, who were onboard the van, remained unhurt.

July – 18

One soldier was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) by Security Forces (SFs) in the Senai Narai area of South Waziristan. According to ISPR, the operation was conducted, on reported presence of terrorists and during intense exchange of fire with terrorists, Sepoy Junaid, age 20 years, resident of Balakot, District Mansehra embraced shahadat,” the statement said.

July – 19   

Unidentified assailants shot dead a CTD official, identified as Safdar, near the motorway under the limits of the Chamkani Police station in Peshawar.

July – 30  

A Policeman was killed and two passerbies were injured in a hand grenade attack in Karkhano Market of Peshawar. Police initially said that an unidentified assailant had hurled a grenade at the Police mobile during an operation against Covid-19 SOP violations. Peshawar CCPO Abbas Ahsan, who visited the site, later clarified that the mobile was on a routine patrol when it was targeted. There were four Police personnel seated in the mobile at the time of the attack. The deceased Police official was identified as Police team in-charge Ibn Amin.

July – 30    

One soldier was killed and seven others got injuries when an IED exploded near a vehicle in the Osse Pass area of Ladha sub-division in South Waziristan.

July – 31   

One soldier was killed and two others injured when an improvised IED went off when Security Forces were carrying out a search operation near the Afghan border in the Shawal area of North Waziristan.

The post Terrorism on the Rise: By Mubarak Ali appeared first on Khyber TV - Pashto Entertainment TV Channel.

Background

There have been many other small TV channels with the likes of PTV National which used to air TV shows in local languages including Pashto. There used to be news, TV Dramas, music shows, the current affair shows in Pashto but none of them was particularly focused on revolutionizing or modernizing Pashto language info/entertainment in general. With the Inception of AVT in 2004, it became a platform to all of the people who are missing out very stage for their creative and aesthetic inputs and with that came proper means of expressing themselves.

Pashtu Music in Older Times

Talking about music in Olden times, we used to have genre specific or what we call the Classic stuff including local instruments like rabab, tabla, sitar or sarangi etc. The genres coined by the likes of Sadar Ali Takkar, Zarsanga. In the beginning, production values weren’t defined properly as there was not enough good equipment or sets etc. The broadcasts tables was basic equipment and there wasn’t any access to high tech modern studio and recording support. When AVT Khyber came along there was a Paradigm shift from the classical and analogue stuff to more of a digital medium which was also very gradual part of the process but with that came a leap in the entertainment industry particularly music. Local artists or people who were relying solely on their DVD releases or audio cassette releases with the launch of language exclusive platform, the artists got a chance to reach their audiences and in turn made name for themselves. This also meant the modernization of the music that included pop Rock even evolving and moving on rap and hip-hop and a conscious incorporation of the modernizing genres.

Pashtu Music and Social Media 

Social media also was a game changer as content became the key to the running of every digital and modern operation and Pashto musicians also started adopting modern instruments and trends that included the introduction of electronic music/instruments like guitars, keyboards, drums etc. With the help of social media the term viral became associated with this kind of music production and nowadays most of the content that is circulated around comes from those times or even is produced still. This also meant access to a worldwide viewership and maintaining it by coming up with more and more commercial content.

The rise in use of Tiktok and other social media apps like YouTube or Facebook and Instagram, we see the work of those artists making rounds and their music is being kept alive but nevertheless, the original platform did everything initially itself which is a statement that it was a Revolutionary platform that offered these artists something in the form of a channel itself.

The quality of music production was going up and up with the introduction of traditional poetry in the mix that with the likes of Ghani khan, Hamza Shinwari… which was blended with modern renditions and techniques to give them a more soulful outlook.

People also saw a revival of their works in form of modern music and brought attention in mainstream media to them and helping people know what they have been missing out on and people did respond positively. Yet again, growth is only continuous and AVT Khyber gives the growth a platform with worldwide access for the exclusive art form of Pashtun Music to touch greater and higher standards.

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Indeed the war on terror in Pakistan has left us with many unforgettable stories, the stories of individual heroics and the story of our society in general. The war on terror began in the erstwhile FATA and spread out to every nook and corner of the country, affecting the lives of virtually every countryman in one way or the other. The war on terror was fought on many fronts i.e. security forces conducted full-scale offensives at the terrorist’s strongholds, police carried out search and strike operations across the country and targeted terrorist hideouts in cities and settled areas, another significant aspect of the war was negating extremists ideology and producing a counter-narrative. Today the relative peace we have in our society and diminishing the menace of terrorism, we owe it to the sacrifices of security forces and police who laid down their lives to protect this homeland. While the security forces waged a war against terrorism, media and opinion leaders and other influencers have worked together to build a counter-narrative against extremism and terrorism in the society. Khyber TV led the debate against extremism and terrorism by producing shows, programs and content that negated the narrative of extremists. KP police were allowed to use the platform of AVT Channels, Khyber TV, Khyber News and Kay2 TV to not only highlights the activities against terrorism but also given the opportunity time and again to honor their heroes. Initially it was a difficult job to speak up against terrorism and extremism, many opinion leaders were targeted & killed for speaking up against terrorists and extremism.

Rallying masses behind their security forces particularly police was a difficult task which was achieved by engaging people from different walks of life and extensive reporting of the sacrifices of security forces and police. There also existed ambiguity in policies and the response of some elements in our society also created obstacles in the fight against terrorism and extremism. That was when Khyber TV came in support of Police and security forces by producing content to counter the narrative of extremism and terrorism.

Initially very little was known in public about terrorism and extremism and some elements in our society openly while others subtly backing the narrative of extremism. It was next to impossible to speak out against terrorism and extremism in Pakistan. It was a time when mainstream media given coverage to major terrorists activities in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, for example stories of terrorist attacks were carried in national newspaper and mainstream TV channels but only to the extent that a terror incident had taken place and the number of casualties were usually reported. This was the case in most terrorist attacks and rarely we would see extensive coverage given to attacks that had taken place in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa or the erstwhile FATA. On the other hand, AVT Channels which comprises Khyber TV, Khyber News and Kay2 TV had provided extensive coverage to not only the terror incidents but also highlighted the footprints that terrorism have left behind. KP Police which faced the brunt of terrorism needed support of media and masses in general to keep the moral of its force high in the fight against terrorism, sporadic coverage were given to the sacrifices of police fallen heroes by mainstream TV Channels.

On the other hand Khyber TV which is based in Peshawar and mostly its content focuses on the issues and developments in KP and the erstwhile FATA provided coverage to terror incidents and its victims. The terror incidents were intensively reported in news as it happened and later special programs/shows were produced to discuss and highlight details of the terror activities in KP. Providing coverage to the victims of the terrorism has remained the utmost priority of Khyber TV throughout. Since police was mainly targeted across KP, news reports, special shows and feature reports were produced to remember and to pay homage to sacrifices of police fallen heroes who laid down their lives in the line of duty. Apart from a routine content run in recognition of police heroes, special fillers (a minute & half teasers) made and run 24/7 in during breaks in regular transmission. These fillers were of particular significance, they were made of emotional songs like “Pakistani Tujay Salam” in recognition of the sacrifices of KP police. Pictures of officers of police and Jawans like that of Shaheed Saftwat Ghayyur, Shaheed Malik Muhammad Saad, Khan Raziq and Abid Ali and many others were flash one by one highlighting their sacrifice for their motherland. These short fillers were re-run every now and then to make people remember the names of heroes of the war against terrorism.

KP Police being on the forefront of war against terrorism, affected the most from the war and lost many officers and Jawans to the menace of terrorism in comparison to the police forces of other provinces. Some key officers of KP Police who were sources of great inspiration for the rest of the police force, were targeted one by one mostly through targeted killing & suicide attacks while other fell victims to bomb explosions and terrorists activities in the provice. Following are some the notable names who laid their lives in the line of duty: DIG Abid Ali was the first police officer of KP Police to embrace martyrdom in the war against terrorism. Shaheed Abid Ali was known as a bold a courageous police officer who was assassinated by unknown assailants in 2006 near Peshawar city. CCPO Peshawar Malik Muhammad Saad Shaheed was killed in a suicide attack in 2007 in Peshawar. Shaheed Malik Saad was the first high ranking officer to be targeted in a suicide attack. AIG Safwat Ghayyur Shaheed was considered a role model for police officers in KP was killed in a suicide attacked in 2010 in Peshawar. Ashraf Noor Shaheed another AIG of KP Police embraced martyrdom when he was targeted in a suicide attack in 2017.

In total the KP Police lost 29 officers of its force in the war on terror. In 2009 was the deadliest year for KP Police as the force lost 207 of its officers and Jawans. KP Police deserved recognition and public acknowledgement for their valour and sacrifices. AVT Channels and Khyber stood shoulder to shoulder with its police force and provided them with a platform to shower praises on its fallen heroes.

KP Police was the first force to observe Yuom e Shuhada-e-Police day to pay reverence to its fallen heroes. The death anniversary of Shaheed Sifat Ghayyur is now observed as Police Martyrs Day nationwide. Khyber TV has been commemorating Police Martyrs Day since it was first officially marked and since then holding grand ceremonies inviting top brass of the provincial Police and relatives of Police fallen soldiers and officers.

It was heartwarming to see an all-out coverage to Police Martyrs Day this year on mainstream media and the heroes of police force were paid rich tribute for their sacrifices. Khyber TV remained committed to its resolve and held another grand ceremony for the eight consecutive year in connection with Police Martyrs Day.

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