SWABI, Aug 23: A protest demonstration was held here on Thursday against the alleged stoppage of broadcast of Pushto programmes by the Pakistan Television, Peshawar centre.

The protesters gathered at Kernel Sher Chowk, where poets and other literary figures criticised the shifting of the Pushto programmes to the PTV National channel.

The speakers said successive governments had failed to accord the language its due status.

Tila Mohammad Shabab, president of the Qalmi Tharun Swabi, said the PTV’s move had hurt the feelings of the Pukhtuns across the country.

Another speaker, Karim Sattar, said people were unable to watch Pushto programmes because of poor reception of transmission PTV National.

Swabi Bar Association general secretary Changez Khan said Pukhtun community had the right to have an equal status in the state machinery.

The protesters threatened to launch a movement if the decision was not withdrawn in a fortnight.

They handed over a memorandum to the district coordination officer, demanding that Pushto programmes should be telecast from the PTV, Peshawar centre.