Afghanistan orders pvt channels to stop airing Indian serials

Afghanistan government has ordered private TV stations in the war-ravaged country to stop broadcasting popular Indian soap operas by April 15, a move that apparently reflected the growing influence of hardliners who criticised the serials as being "un-Islamic".

A spokesman for Afghanistan's Culture and Information Ministry said the decision followed a meeting with MPs and clerics. He said there were "numerous complaints" about the shows, BBC News reported.

There are six Indian soap operas running in Afghanistan, providing vital revenue for TV stations, but they have been criticised for being "un-Islamic" by hardliners in the country. 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.