KARACHI, Sept 1: A weekly programme on Islam in English is among the main features Pakistan Television Karachi has lined up for its current quarter, a press briefing held at PTV’s Karachi centre was told on Saturday.

A mix of current affairs programmes, variety shows and drama serials made up the nucleus of the new seasons prime time fare. Islam Today will be a show that features prominent personalities form the world of education and academia discussing topical issues pertaining to Islam, followed by a question and answer session.

The serials included Sahil ki Tamanna, Jeet, Ghuttan and a new play in the Sindhi drama series Natak Rang entitled Rishta ain Nata. A music programme called Mere Naghmay, Mere Geet directed by Tajdar Adil rounded off the new quarter’s fare.

“Ghuttan and Islam Today will be the cornerstones of the new season,” explained PTV-K Programme Manager Manzoor Qureishi. He also pointed out that it was essential to produce Islam Today in English, as it was going to be broadcast on PTV World as well, in order to properly disseminate the true image of Islam.

Giving some background information on his serial, writer Agha Rafique explained that Ghuttan, the 13 episode, 50 minute PTV production was based loosely on the menace of karo kari, or “honour” killings. “Forty per cent of all the murders in the country are because of karo kari. Why are the women of the elite never murdered? Why are only poor women labelled kari? But the subject is not solely karo kari. It’s the ostracizing of the whole clan that goes with it,” Rafique said, when asked why he chose to cover the subject.

Jeet is another play that tackles social issues. Director Mohammad Bakhsh Samejo took the stage briefly to talk about the play. Its core theme is that of the cruel custom of watta satta, or child marriage, where the union of two people is consummated even before birth. It will also be a 13 episoder running for 50 minutes.

Shahid Iqbal Pasha, director of the 52 episode, 25 minuter Sahil ki Tamanna, claimed that “despite the cable boom, PTV still presents the most diverse programming.” The play, based on a novel, is also a PTV production.

It was noted that this season, PTV’s fare is a lot more issue oriented, focussing on more mature themes, as the trend nowadays on both PTV and the private channels is to pursue more hollow entertainment. A large number of artists involved in the productions were present en masse.