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The series, Ertugrul Gazi, which ran in Turkey
until 2019, is loosely based on the story of a 13th century
nomadic Turkic tribal leader who confronted Mongols, Crusaders
and Byzantine rulers in what are now Syria and Turkey.
Two statues of Ertugrul have been put up in a residential area
of the city. Muhammad Shahzad Cheema, the head of a private
housing society, commissioned a likeness of Ertugrul, sword in
hand on a rearing horse.
"The statue is a reminder of our love for the Ottoman Sultanate,
and the jihad which Ertugrul waged which brought us (Muslims)
respect in the whole world," Cheema said.
Pakistani broadcaster PTV began airing Urdu-dubbed episodes of
the show during Ramadan a few weeks ago, and it has since become
the most watched programme ever aired by the outlet.
No television show has been able to stir Pakistan the way
Ertugrul Gazi has, PTV Managing Director Aamer Manzoor told
Reuters. "People feel that it is the Turkish play of Game of
Thrones."
More than 58 million people viewed the first episode on PTV's
YouTube channel in two months, and the entire show has had more
than 250 million views, Manzoor said.
Turkish state television waived royalties for the show.
Cheema told Reuters people were coming “from far and wide” to
take selfies with his statue, installed in a square locals plan
to rename after Ertugrul.
The show also got a ringing endorsement from Pakistani Prime
Minister Imran Khan, who said it would help combat "vulgarity"
from Hollywood and Bollywood and promote family culture.
(Writing by Umar Farooq; Editing by Gibran Peshimam and Giles
Elgood)
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