Afghanistan to ban Indian TV soaps by April 15

Kabul, Apr.5 : Afghanistan's Ministry of Culture and Information has confirmed that the government will ban the broadcasting of popular Indian soap operas by April 15.

In what is being seen as the growing influence of hardliners, the Indian serials are being viewed as "un-Islamic".

A spokesman of the ministry said the decision was taken to ban the serials after the government met with Members of the Afghan Parliament and clerics.

The BBC quoted him as saying that there were "numerous complaints" about the shows.

There are six Indian soap operas running in Afghanistan, providing vital revenue for TV stations.

Several private Afghan TV channels, including Tolo , Ariana and Shamshad , broadcast the Indian soap operas dubbed in Pashto and Persian.

The first Indian serial to be aired in Afghanistan was the hit soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi , which was launched by Tolo channel in 2005. Among other Indian soaps aired in Afghanistan are Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kasauti Zindagi Ki .

Afghan Information and Culture Minister Abdul Karim Khurram has said action will be taken against TV channels that do not stop airing the Indian serials by April 15.

Afghanistan's Parliament recently passed a resolution seeking to bar TV programmes from showing dancing and other practices that are "un-Islamic".

ANI