PESHAWAR, June 22: Renowned artiste Jamal Shah is launching a Pushto TV channel with a view to providing entertainment and information to 60 million Pukhtuns. “Pukhtuns have been pushed against the wall. The areas inhabited by them are extremely backward despite the fact they have a rich cultural heritage,” Mr Shah said at a news conference here on Wednesday.

“We have decided to name the channel as ‘Saar’,” he added.

“Arrangements are in full swing. Initially, the channel would be headquartered in Islamabad, which can be shifted to Peshawar after getting the uplinking facility here,” he said.

Mr Shah said the need for a real and genuine Pashto channel was long being felt by the people because existing channels were airing stuff that was not in conformity with local norms, values and traditions.