Radio Times: Review by:; David Crawford

A daily soap that gives a slice of village life sounds familiar, doesn’t it? But this isn’t The Archers — Brian is not troubled by revenge killings on his land, nor Lynda worried that her bed is on a south-facing wall in summer.

As well as these examples of high and low drama this adaptation of PACT Radio’s daily soap, made by and for the Pashtun people of the Afghan-Pakistani border region, also explores the conflict between religion and tribal law. At times the heavy-handed exposition detracts from the drama, but there are enough interesting storylines — from murder and dogfights to arguments over lost bracelets and the troubles of young love — to make this an eye-opening take on the reality of life in this part of the world.

About this programme

1/5. Drama, written and directed by Liz Rigbey, and based on Da Pulay Poray, a radio soap airing on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border on PACT Radio. The five-part serial follows the residents of a rural village in the foothills of the Pashtun heartland, where roads, shops and electricity are scarce. In this edition, a wealthy family welcomes a guest to the household. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour.