21 February 2004	Saturday	29 Zilhaj 1424

PESHAWAR, Feb 20: A Pashto language TV channel is likely to be launched here on March 23, said TV artist Firdous Jamal. Talking to Dawn, he said that the need for launching a Pashto language TV channel had long being felt , because of the large population of Pukhtuns.

Named as "Khyber TV", its basic objective would be to highlight the local culture and provide entertainment to the people of this part of the country.

Firdous Jamal, who is programme director of the channel, said that they had been planning to establish offices and studios in the city in a couple of days. "Once the infrastructure is set up, then production will get underway."

He said that several artists from the NWFP and Balochistan had pledged to work for the success of the new channel. He said that Pukhtuns, who are spread all over the world, would feel a difference when they would watch the Khyber TV.

He said that they would air programmes round-the-cloak, some of them, specially those on current affairs, would be telecast live.