ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s state television, the PTV, is set to air a famous Turkish historical fiction series “Dirilis: Ertugrul” dubbed in Urdu soon, the state broadcaster told Arab News on Monday.
The move follows a special request by Prime Minister Imran Khan, who in October recommended the popular TV opera to all Pakistanis as promoting the true Islamic values, and insisted that the five-season series should be dubbed in Urdu.
Often described as a Turkish “Game of Thrones,” by the fans, the series is set in 13th century Anatolia, before the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. It illustrates the struggle of Ertugrul Gazi, the father of Osman I – the founder of the Ottoman dynasty.
Since its premiere on state-run Turkish TV channel TRT 1 in November 2014, the serial has been telecasted in 60 countries.
“We have taken this initiative as the prime minister wants to protect our social, cultural and religious norms,” said Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, special assistant to the prime minister on information and broadcasting.
“The Muslim world has its own cultural heritage and values, but we are looking into western ones,” she told Arab News in an interview in Islamabad on Monday.
According to Awan, the drama can enlighten and broaden the understanding of the history of Islam, especially among younger generations.
“I attended golden jubilee celebrations ceremony of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) in Jeddah last week, where it was also discussed how to improve social, cultural and religious ties between member states by sharing media content,” she said, adding there was a special focus on using the media to improve the perception of Islam in the West and strengthen ties between OIC countries.
“It is also Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to share media content to counter Islamophobia and improve understanding of Islamic values,” Awan said.
PTV director for international relations, Shazia Sikander, who is also the head of this project, told Arab News that PTV is dubbing “Dirilis: Ertugrul” in Urdu as it has already secured all rights from TRT.
“PTV has got exclusive rights for dubbing and screening it in Pakistan,” she said, adding that the series is already on PTV’s dub stage, with voice actors selected carefully to make sure the historical drama will captivate to the audience.
PM Khan asks PTV to air famous Turkish fiction drama 'Ertugrul' in Urdu
PM Khan asks PTV to air famous Turkish fiction drama 'Ertugrul' in Urdu
- State TV brings the series to Pakistan following praises from PM Imran Khan
- Dubbing work is already underway
Pakistan court orders full eye exam for jailed ex-PM Imran Khan, PTI party says
- Party says directive supports concerns over medical access in custody
- Lawyer earlier told reporters Khan’s health “is fine” after prison visit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said on Thursday the Supreme Court had ordered a full eye examination of jailed ex-premier Imran Khan to be completed before Feb. 16, escalating a dispute between the government and Khan’s family over his medical care in prison.
Concerns about Khan’s health have resurfaced in recent weeks after authorities confirmed he had been briefly taken from prison to a hospital in Islamabad for an eye procedure. The government said at the time his condition was stable, while PTI leaders and Khan’s family complained they had not been informed in advance and alleged he was being denied timely and independent medical access.
The issue was taken up by the Supreme Court earlier this week, which appointed senior lawyer Salman Safdar as a “friend of the court” to visit Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala prison and submit a written report on his living conditions.
In its statement on Thursday, PTI said the court had now directed that Khan undergo a comprehensive medical review of his eye condition.
“The Supreme Court’s order for a complete eye check-up of Imran Khan vindicates the party’s longstanding concerns about his deteriorating health and denial of timely, independent medical care in custody,” the party said, adding that he should be given “immediate” access to his personal physician.
Safdar, who met Khan in prison on Tuesday, had earlier sought to calm speculation about his condition.
“It is fine,” Safdar told reporters outside the prison when asked about Khan’s health, declining to provide further details. “I will speak about the rest in the report.”
According to a copy of an earlier court order seen by Arab News, the Supreme Court had tasked Safdar with submitting a written report regarding the “living conditions of the petitioner in jail,” noting that a previous report related to Khan’s detention at Attock jail in 2023 did not reflect his current circumstances.
In its latest statement, PTI framed the court’s directive as part of a broader legal principle.
“This is bigger than one medical test. It is about whether the rule of law applies to political opponents, or only to protect those in power,” the party said, demanding “immediate and transparent implementation of the Court’s order” and “unrestricted access to qualified specialists of his choice.”
Khan has been in jail since August 2023 in connection with multiple cases that he and his party say are politically motivated, an allegation the government denies. He was removed from the PM’s office in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
There was no immediate response from the government on Thursday to PTI’s latest statement.
