It was just last month when Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, announced that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are working towards increasing cultural exchange between the two countries and that Pakistani TV dramas will soon be exported to Saudi Arabia.
According to recent reports, Pakistan Television has picked two classic drama serials, Dhoop Kinare and Tanhaiyaan – both written by Haseena Moin – that will go on air in Saudi Arabia this year.
For now, Rahat Kazmi and Marina Khan-starrer Dhoop Kinare will be broadcasted in June with Arabic subtitles.
Talking to Arab News, Shahzia Sikander, Director International Relations at Pakistan Television informed, “We have selected two very popular dramas, Dhoop Kinare (Sunlight’s Edge) and Tanhaiyaan (Loneliness), for Arabic subtitles. “We will be able to send Dhoop Kinare to Saudi Arabia by June this year.”
She further went on to say that the move would not only be a source of revenue for Pakistan but also bring recognition for local television series and actors and help Saudi nationals understand the culture of Pakistan.
“This is the first time that Pakistan Television is subtitling Pakistani drama into Arabic for Saudi viewers,” Sikander added.
The move is part of the programme, initiated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the last three years in order to modernize the deeply conservative country where cinemas, public concerts and other forms of entertainment have been banned for decades.
