TURKISH PLAYS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON

PAKISTANI AUDIENCE

Prepared For:
Mr. Umar Jee
English Department
Government College University Lahore

Prepared By:
Atif Ameer
Muhammad Sajawal
Ameer Hamza
Sufyan Gondal
Tehmina Kanwal
Hafiza Fatima

327
983
331
667
655
531

Group 2
Year II
Semester III
Government College University Lahore

December 9, 2013

TURKISH PLAYS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON

PAKISTANI AUDIENCE

LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION

November 25, 2013

Mr. Atif Ameer, Group Capitan

Research Group B
GC University Lahore
Dear Atif Ameer:
Subject: Authorization for the research
You are authorized to do a comprehensive research on Turkish plays and their growing
influence on Pakistani audience. You are directed to submit a long report on this topic.
The purposes of your study are:
1. To analyze the reasons behind the elevation of Turkish plays and their influence
on Pakistani audience.
2. To shed light on the impact of high rating of Turkish plays on indigenous plays.
3. To determine the pros and cons of foreign plays being aired on Pakistani channels.
4. To give few recommendations in order to curb the negative influence of these
plays on society.
I also recommend you to carry out a general survey in university via questionnaire that
will also aid you to closely analyze the viewpoint of youth towards this matter. This is a
very good chance for you to use your analytical skills and research capabilities to deduce
concrete results from your report. Your report should be submitted to me by December 9,
2013. Please contact me if you need any further assistance and clarification
Sincerely,
Mr. Umar Jee
Lecturer, GC University Lahore

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

December 5, 2013
Mr. Umar Jee
Lecturer, GC University Lahore
Department of English Language and Literature
Respected Sir:
Here is the complete research based report on Turkish plays and their influence on
Pakistani audience. My whole group worked as a single body to reveal even every minute
detail in this report.
We also carried out a survey around the university to ascertain the general perception of
students of different departments in order to make our results pithier. Every student
showed amiable behavior and actively participated in the survey.
The survey reveals both types of perceptions, which we expected. Many students
advocate this notion that these types of plays have no affect on the society whereas many
students also negate this thesis. We have also attached a copy of questionnaire in
appendix, so that you may find it feasible to judge the pattern on which we conducted a
survey. At the same time with collaboration with other members we recommended some
policies that PEMRA should follow while airing these types of foreign plays in Pakistan.
Last but not the least, I am very grateful to you that you gave me and my team a chance
to show you our efforts and to cater as best possible results as we can.

Cordially,
Atif Ameer, Group Capitan
Research Group B
GC University Lahore

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9
I.

INTRODUCTION.. 10
Background
Statement of the Problem
Purposes of the Study
Scope

II.

RELATED
LITERATURE.. 12

III.

PROCEDURES 12

IV.

FINDINGS..13

V.

ANALYSIS 16

VI.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 19

VII. GLOSSARY. 21
VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY 22
IX.

APPENDIX-QUESTIONNARE. 23

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
CHARTS:
1. Pakistan Television 14
2. Morals.

15

3. Influence.. 15
4. Gender. 16
5. PEMRA 16

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The introduction of Turkish plays into mainstream media is fairly recent and became the
talk of the town right after the great appreciation by the audience. This study is being
carried out to ascertain answers to the few questions that are of prime importance. The
study was designed to describe the Turkish plays and their influence on Pakistani
audience. Also we carried out a survey via questionnaire to find out the views of students
on this alarming issue.
Few extract from different articles and newspaper in the form of related literature is also
mentioned to strengthen the above-mentioned argument. Hence the survey reveals the
results that were very expected and also gives a clear picture that majority of students
also support this notion that these plays leads towards moral corruption and cultural
dominance of Ottoman empire.
In addition, the survey also sheds light on this perception that women are more
influenced by the set, costumes and lifestyle of the characters shown in plays. At the
same time majority of the students wanted that these plays should not be banned. But if
government wanted to halt these programs than they should also ban the all the foreign
plays including Indian and American shows.
Based on conclusions, it is recommended that with this show, there is one thing clear that
the foreign dramas are certainly a threat to the Pakistan Drama industry. As a devoted
Pakistani, I personally condemn the telecast of projects that do not belong to us. So we
only have to telecast our programs as much we can so that we can fly higher in the
projection of our own culture rather than borrowed culture.

I. INTRODUCTION
The media and its influence on the society have grown exponentially with the
advancement of technology. Mass Media is playing a vital role in shaping public opinion
via different plays and shows being aired on television. The ratings of different programs
vividly indicate that Pakistani audience is strongly attached with these programs and
giving them an overwhelming response. The mass media is socially embedded in our
society. The media is deeply rooted in the society; media houses are socially relevant
because they hold out interest to viewers, values. In mass communication information is
liberalized to the society through a mass medium

Background:
Recently Pakistani television is completely engulfed by Turkish Plays. The introduction
of Turkish plays into mainstream media is fairly recent and became the talk of the town
right after the great appreciation by the audience. The channels like Urdu 1 and Geo
Kahani, which were alien for anyone just got a huge elevation after the arrival of Turkish
plays. At the same time the spread of Turkish plays was met by many controversies. We
will try our best in this report to unravel every detail contributing in this conundrum.

Statement of the Problem:

The main focus of the study is as follows:
1. To provide a comprehensive description of the major elements of Turkish plays.
2. To find out the reasons which are contributing in the high ratings of Turkish plays.
3. To determine that are our channel justified in showing Turkish plays.
4. To ascertain that what damage has been done by Turkish plays to Pakistani
television and plays.
5. Most importantly to find out that what are the social implications of these plays
and how they are affecting the norms and standards of our society.

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Purpose of the Study:

The purpose of this study is as follows:
1. To ascertain the perception of youth and especially students on this issue.
2. To give a comprehensive analysis of the problem statement using different results.
3. To answer whether the results are justified or not.
4. To give a comparative analysis of Pakistani and Turkish Plays.
5. Last but not the least, to suggest a recommendations that how we can curb the
growing influence of these plays on audience.

Scope:
The scope of this report is based on the results acquired by a general questionnaire and on
the realm of objectivity and facts. This study is limited to Government College University
Lahore.

II. RELATED LITERATURE

The literature on studies of Turkish plays is not extensive but I tried to find out some
articles and works on this topic that help us to more clearly visualize the perceptions of
different writers.

1. Foreign Dramas threaten Pakistani Cultural values by Daily

Times:
Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Director General Tauqeer Nasir said:
Unfortunately, we did not take timely action to save our film industry but the recent
cultural invasion by Turkish and Indian dramas on Pakistani channels is unacceptable
for TV artistes and if the issue is not handled properly, history will repeat itself and it
will adversely affect our cultural values and heritage. Enhancing viewer ship and

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making money sometimes creates gaps and the downfall of Lollywood was the result
of not filling these gaps in time. The drama sector will suffer if the Pakistani nation
stays silent.

2. Foreign Dramas are a Serious Threat to Pakistan Drama

Industry- By Mubashir Luqman:
Mentioning the Channel Urdu 1, Mubashir highlighted the double standards of PEMRA.
He highlighted that it is becoming more like a trend that we give preference to the foreign
talent and that has taken away some best singers, actors and directors who are now
serving other countries, leaving Pakistan. Just as we, the viewers did talk about the
vulgarity and boldness which is a measure part of these projects, Mubashir also
considered it to be a source of spreading vulgarity in the society, which might be a culture
of other nations but is forbidden in our country.

3. Turkey Dramas in Pakistan- By Misbah Munir:

Production houses make serials at the cost price of 0.4 million per episode and sell it to
the channel for a profit of up to 0.2 million per episode making the producers profit
significantly low. This scenario results in more and more low quality entertainment for
the channels. According to the producers the low quality of products is a direct result of a
continuous increase in the cost of production but no increase in the selling price offered
by the channels.

III. PROCEDURES
A survey was conducted using a sampling technique to ensure randomization in the
students. We also deduced a handsome result from the survey. We also attached one copy
of survey in appendix so that you can judge the nature of questions. The procedures we
followed included these:

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1. A questionnaire was developed that contain simple and lucid questions that aid us
to judge the response at different scales. (See appendix.)
2. Three members of group were nominated to carry out this survey via
questionnaire.
3. Almost data is collected from every department of university in order to fetch best
possible results.
4. Survey was conducted over a two-day period in the university.
5. The data were tabulated using different techniques of statistics in order to refine
the data and results.
6. At last whole group members analyzed the result obtained from survey. So that
we can get best conclusion and recommendations.

IV. FINDINGS
In findings we will simply present the results we achieved via survey. And in next section
we will analyze the given results. We will present our results Question by Question to
make things clear.

Q. 1: Do you think that Pakistani television is captured by Turkish

Plays? Yes/No
For this question we conducted 20 questionnaires in which 14 students answered in YES.
This shows that 70% of the students agreed with this question that Pakistani television is
captured by Turkish plays and they are more pleasing than Pakistani plays.

80
60
40

Yes
No

20
0

13

Q.2: Do Turkish plays are better than Pakistani Plays in terms of plot,
elements and morals? Yes/No
Another 20 questions were given to different students and once again the results were
alarming for us.
Out of 20 students 16 were in favor of plot that is 80% and at the same time once 4
students agreed with this questions that these plays have moral standard and norms which
is just 20%.

80
60
Plot and Set

40

Moral Standards

20
0
1st Qtr

Q.3: Influence of Turkish Plays on Pakistani audience is regarded as?

Positive/Negative/No affect
Same procedure was carried out for this question. Only 10% students think that these
plays have positive affect on the audience whereas 60% students said that these types of
plays lead the audience towards moral corruption. 30% students think that plays and
dramas have no such affect on audience but it depends on a person how he perceives a
thing.
60
50
40

Positive

30

Negative

20

No affect

10
0
1st Qtr

14

Q.4: Which gender is more influenced by Turkish Plays? Male/Female

95% of the students think that females are more influenced by these Plays. They try to
imitate the fashion by copying their adorned costumes and lifestyle. Only 5% think that
they somehow also influenced man.

100
80
60

Male

40

Fem ale

20
0
1st Qtr

Q.5: Whether PEMRA should halt airing these Plays or not? Yes/No
58% students are not in the favor that these plays should be halted whereas 42% students
want that these plays should not be aired in Pakistan.
60
50
40
30

Yes

20

No

10
0
1st Qtr

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V. ANALYSIS
Ottoman Turks never expanded their empire as far as today's Pakistan, but some here fear
their descendants are now launching a cultural invasion - via popular soap operas that
Pakistani artists and politicians say threaten the local TV industry and the country's
conservative Islamic values. In this heading we will give a comprehensive analysis of the
results obtained from survey.

1. Themes of Turkish Plays:

Stressing the vitality of love and positive emotions is the key word of the Turkish drama
that has been screened on Pakistani satellite channels. The romantic story lines depicting
heroes facing the harsh fleeting of time and the dramatic separation between lovers are
the main theme in most of these series. People are usually fed up with the dramas where
corruption, street crimes and rapes are the most prevalent themes. And at the same time
the Turkish plays presents an escape from the dull routine and martial conflicts. Pakistani
masses are hooked up to Turkish daily soaps that depict the liberal Muslim society.
Turkey is a Muslim country but the society portrays the European culture. Some
were engrossed by new faces and profligate life styles; and want to see the Turkish
culture and those who are bored by watching typical saas bahu Indian soaps or
increasingly similar stories welcome these dramas.

2. Reasons behind the success of Turkish Plays:

There are multiple reasons behind the success of these Turkish plays.
a. Freshness
b. Beautiful and new locations
c. Fascinating costumes
d. New faces attract Pakistanis
e. Novelty in new themes
f. Conservativeness in Pakistani plays

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g. Liberal Muslim society that beguiles youth and moderates

h. Glimpse of Turkish culture and Ottoman Empire
i. Lot of sponsors funding these plays for their elevation
j. Ottoman style sets (scenes with horses and archery)
k. Overwhelming response

3. Turkish plays- A serious threat for Pakistani Media:

With the growing cultural and media invasion of Turkish Plays on Pakistan seems to be a
great threat for Pakistani Media. What stared a bunch of exquisite Turkish people uttering
Urdu has apparently turned into the Pakistani drama industrys great challenge. Thousand
of viewers have welcomed and fallen love with these dramas, coming in as they are from
a Muslim country like Turkey, which has been a inspiration for the Muslims world. We
recognize that the local industry is full of talented and hardworking people who can
compete in any environment. At the same time, using cheap ploys like handing on-screen
characters liquor or having them don-revealing clothing will not cover for weak content.
Turkish soaps give you better ratings in a lesser amount hence all the major channels are
slowly switching to foreign content and that too in prime time by replacing local dramas.
Which is a major concern for the producers since the livelihood of artists, producers and
countless numbers of daily wage technicians is associated with these dramas .The
channels are indeed taking away a level playing field from the local producers ignoring
the fact that this could might as well be a short lived bubble and the payment of the whole
chain of a production is dependent upon the channel airing it and not the producer
completing it. As per the industry practice the payment to a producer is made 90 days
after that particular episode is aired as a result of which many producers who have
completed their projects will not be paid since channels are not willing to air dramas they
themselves previously commissioned.
There is no doubt that a major government intervention is required to save the Pakistani
drama industry. All stakeholders need to come forth and resolve the economic challenges
presented by the foreign content. At the same time Pakistani producers and writers must
draw lessons from this crisis in order to strengthen their content. By raising absurd

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arguments such as a threat to culture, they are doing both themselves and their audiences
a disservice. The entertainment industry must concern itself with entertaining its
audience. Waning audience interest will always be a failure on their part.

4. Influence of Turkish plays on Pakistani audience:

The Urdu translation of this Turkish soap is considered to be infectious by its
viewers and while some Pakistani writers, directors, and producers take it as a
healthy competition, others believe its a grave threat. As Turkish soap operas reach
increasing numbers of viewers in the Arab world, the sight on TV screens of
Muslims drinking alcohol or conducting adulterous relationships is becoming
commonplace - and the shows have presented a new image of relations between man
and woman. This type of vulgar scenes in plays portrays a distorted form of Muslim
society and leaves a deplorable effect on the minds of people. Also our survey shows
that that 60% of the students think that these play leads towards moral corruption.
Set in the Ottoman world, it spins the yarn of Suleiman the Magnificent, the longest
reigning Sultan, and his love for a Western woman in his harem, with whom he
becomes obsessed, and eventually marries. This type of behavior of one of the
biggest King of Ottoman Empire is obsessed and plunged into moral and spiritual
corruption.
Another play named as Take Forbidden Love (Ashiq-i Memnu). It is set in a
mansion on the Bosphorus and tells the story of the forbidden passion between a
handsome young man, Behlul, and a beautiful young woman, Bihter, who is married
to his uncle. Like Magnificent Century, it has its fair dose of love scenes, which may
seem tame to a Western audience, but are eye-catching by the standards of Asian
countries especially Pakistan. There is definitely a shortage of good scripts and high
production values in Turkish television that in result is leaving atrocious influence
on Pakistani audience. Ansari said those who argue that the Turkish shows
threatened Pakistani cultural norms didnt persuade her. Local actresses and
models also wear miniskirts on television programs and at award functions," Ansari

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said. "I agree that these costumes do not match Pakistani culture, but Turkish
drama is all about Turkish culture, and people like it and have accepted it."

VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusions:
1. There is no doubt that the Turkish drama plays an important role in the Pakistan
socially, religiously, and politically, especially among the youth and women as the
Indian dramas. It is clear that the Turkish drama presents a new kind of suspense
that appeals to the Pakistani viewers: scenery. Moreover, through drama, Turkey
can go back to the world to rebuild the cultural and social ties between the
Turkish and Pakistani peoples. Most of the Pakistani see Turkey as a great model
of an Islamic country with modern traits.
2. There is no doubt that a major government intervention is required to save the
Pakistani drama industry. All stakeholders need to come forth and resolve the
economic challenges presented by the foreign content. At the same time Pakistani
producers and writers must draw lessons from this crisis in order to strengthen
their content. By raising absurd arguments such as a threat to culture, they are
doing both themselves and their audiences a disservice. The entertainment
industry must concern itself with entertaining its audience. Waning audience
interest will always be a failure on their part.
3. Our nation has so much talent and potential but the platform is not available here,
that is why our singers and actors are going across the borders and getting better
recognition of their talent. The export of CDs and DVDs of our dramas bring
great profit for our economy but promoting Turkish Dramas on our TV channels
surely brings a shame to our industry. Our industry masters at making quality
dramas that surely stick millions of eyeballs to the television. We should support
our own industry that will also bring positive change in our economy as well as
employment opportunities for the people in the industry.

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Recommendations:
1. With this show, there is one thing clear that the foreign dramas are certainly a
threat to the Pakistan Drama industry. As a devoted Pakistani, I personally
condemn the telecast of projects that do not belong to us. So we only have to
telecast our programs as much we can so that we can fly higher in the projection
of our own culture rather than borrowed culture.
2. So the question now arises whether there should be a ban on Turkish Drama
serials or ban on foreign content in the local media? If the issue surrounds the
airing of foreign content on local channels, then there should be a blanket rule
disallowing any and every foreign program on our electronic media. However, if
it is regarding Turkish serials in particular then in my opinion these plays are a
hope that Pakistanis would leave their craze for Indian dramas that are totally
unrealistic that only promotes their culture and religion.
3. At last I think the plays having historical significance should be aired.

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Glossary:
Appendix: Something attached to something else; an attachment or accompaniment
Authorization: A document giving formal sanction, permission or warrant
Cultural Invasion: To invade the mindset of any area via culture
CD: Compact Disc
Exponentially: In an exponential manner that is usually rapid and great
Ottoman Empire: A large empire that began as a Turkish sultanate centered on
modern Turkey; founded in the late 13th century, it lasted until the end of World War 1.

PEMRA: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulating Authority

PNCA: Pakistan National Council of Arts
Transmittal: The act of transmitting a message
Questionnaire: A form containing a list of questions; a means of gathering
information for survey.

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Bibliography
1. Brockway, Paula G.,The Turkish Plays, The Ottoman Influence 32 (April
1998): 26-32
2. Seale, William S.,Media influence on Society, Points to ponder upon 26 (May
1997): 44-51
3. Elan, Hughes, Turkish Plays and Pakistani audience, Words Forgotten
12(March 2002): 53-55

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APPENDIX
Appendix A: Questionnaire

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