ISLAMABAD: The stars of a hit Pakistani TV series that will air in Saudi Arabia later this year said they were thrilled the government had chosen to recognize their work by broadcasting it in a friendly Muslim country.
Last month, Pakistan’s state television said two popular dramas, Dhoop Kinare (Sunlight’s Edge) and Tanhaiyaan (Loneliness), were being subtitled in Arabic and would be broadcast in Saudi Arabia in June.
“This news [is] pure happiness for me and [has] made me feel very proud,” veteran actor Behroze Sabzwari, who played the iconic Qutbutdin character in Tanhaiyaan, told Arab News. “Thirty years later, to hear Tanhaiyaan is going to get dubbed in the Arabic language and will grace Saudi screens is news that makes me and my family feel honored.”
Tanhaiyaan, which aired in 1986, follows the trials and tribulations of two sisters who are forced to move in with their aunt after their parents die in an accident.
When asked why the government had picked an old drama for Saudi screens rather than a more recent one, Shazia Sikandar, the director of international relations at Pakistan Television, said: “Tanhaiyan was our classic drama and we can call it evergreen, that is why we selected this in the initial phase. We may choose other series from newer ones too.”
Sabzwari said Tanhaiyaan was a “perfect” choice because it accurately portrayed Pakistan’s culture and values and “will be a good start to a cultural exchange.”
“It’s a great step from the Pakistani government and the Saudis as well,” Subzwari said. “Exchange of art always deepens relationships.”
Tanhaiyaan star Marina Khan said it felt good to know that the TV show and its characters had not been forgotten and appreciated the government for a “good initiative.”
“We need to do this on a regular basis with all our popular plays,” she said.
The show got a reboot in 2015 with the Tanhaiyan Naye Silsilay sequel, which reunited the stars of the original series and also cast new star Asif Raza Mir.
“It’s a great feeling that this drama continues to resonate and is a cult hit,” Mir said, adding that he was happy to hear that the show would be broadcast in Saudi Arabia. “Tanhaiyaan is a timeless classic and I am sure Saudi audiences will enjoy it.”
'Tanhaiyaan' stars thrilled the Pakistani TV show will air in Saudi Arabia
'Tanhaiyaan' stars thrilled the Pakistani TV show will air in Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan Television has picked two cult classics, Dhoop Kinare and Tanhaiyaan, for broadcast in the Kingdom
- Actor Behroze Subzwari says airing Pakistani shows in Saudi Arabia “good start to a cultural exchange”
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
