Karachi:
Children often have memories of the shows they watch during their early childhood in their adult life. When Gen-Z remembers the programs they watched, the Blue Flying cape of the saved commander while he fights the advances filled with germs of Dirtoo and Kachra Rani comes to mind. There were not many shows broadcast but those who did it have become memorable and widely excited. This is why the shows of local children are important. They can allow children to look at each other on the screen and consume a more thoughtful source of entertainment.
For example, in the golden era of PTV in the 90s, shows like Ainak Wala Jinn And SIM SIM Hamara Using the younger public. “I would be really excited about it,” said Farhana Naheed, a regular spectator of PTV children’s programs in the 90s in an interview with the Lifestyle Desk at L’Express PK Press Club. “We would all discuss programs at school the next day. We will all applaud in front of the television and prepare our snacks. I don’t think the children do it today. They were on television after 17 hours and we are sure to finish all our work before that. They would not repeat it either.”
This no longer seems to be the case now. Children aged 6 to 13 spend their time stuck to their mobile devices. This excessive screen time leads to various problems, including sleep deprivation, eye fatigue and decrease in the duration of attention.
Abdul Rauf, creator of the PTV children’s music show Saray on Hamaray In 2018, it is the same thing. “No show is made for children,” said Rauf while speaking to the Lifestyle Bureau of L’Express PK Press Club. “Name any channel, there are only actors who sit down and insult. Who are children of our time need advice, we would have television games with quizs and debates, all that ended now. Parents are just handing over to their children mobile phones now and they play games all day long. It’s all their life.”
Jamal Khurshid who briefly worked as artistic director on Commander Safeguard In 2005, spoke of the same need. “There is a vacuum of things that people want to see,” he said while speaking at the L’Express PK Press Club lifestyle. “It is fashionable because no other source of entertainment exists. Whether good or bad depends on the taste to taste. These programs were poor in my opinion, but they are exactly what people had to see at the time. I don’t know if Commander Safeguard It was a good program but he entertained a lot of people. »»
Khurshid spoke of the drawbacks of emissions. “The problem with Commander Safeguard Was that it was an advertisement for a product, “he said.” He has the name of soap writes on his chest. If you look at Western superheroes, Spiderman and Batman do not try to sell anything. You do not put advertisements of products on characters designed for children, I find the manipulative act. Commander Safeguard inspired superhero characters like Burka Avenger And 3 Bahadur However.” 
An example of a thoughtful show is Burka Avenger. Created by the group musician Awaz Haroon is the story of Jiya, a school teacher whose alter ego is the superheroine named Burka Avenger. She fights for justice, peace and literacy. However, Burka Avenger Broadcast in 2013, about twelve years ago and very few shows were released after that.
The show presented a relatable scenario that resonated with Pakistani children. “The way good television shows work is that you take a story and locate it,” said Khurshid on what makes Burka Avenger GOOD. “Spectacles abroad collect a black neighborhood and create a show on life revolving around the hood, so that the public can go back to it. We should also do the same. Take an disadvantaged area and tell their children. Make the characters brown, more linked. That’s why I like Burka Avenger. Haroon opted for something that was trying to respond to residents rather than we are trying to be west. We must create our own industry. »»
The only good example of a recent show featuring a representation with entertainment is Pakkay Dost. Pakkay Dost is a children’s puppet show created by the former member of Strings, Bilal Maqsood and funded by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the Sindh in 2023. The show promotes a love for the Urdou language while conferring life lessons.
“My children absolutely love Pakkay Dost. The little one spoke of no hatch and now sings at random Pani Hay Bachana(One of the rhymes in the program range). Read an Instagram comment.
“The representation of a similar culture, environment and environment only helps them discover their roots and values, it institutes a deeper connection that we have lost over time because of negligence in this regard,” said Reneh Umer, designer Pakkay Dost In an interview with The Lifestyle Desk at L’Express PK Press Club. “It is essential to have Pakistani content for children so that they can see a representation of themselves in the media.”
Looking at the lack of initiative to create content for children, it is undeniable that the available emissions are not sufficient to respond to the local public and have decreased quality from the PTV era. The shows that existed had their share of good and evil.
Hoping that the industry was getting back on their feet and starting to work for the largest age group in Pakistan.
