DUSHANBE, July 21, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Muhiddin Kabiri, the leader of the Islamic Revival Party (IRPT), yesterday returned fro his 10-day working trip to the Sughd province.  

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, the IRPT spokesman Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda, who accompanied Kabiri on his trip to northern Tajikistan, said that during their stay in Sughd, they had visited six districts – Ayni, Kuhistoni Mastchoh, Panjakent, Shahriston, Ghonchi and Zafarobod.

 According to him, they were faced by some difficulties during the trip.  Thus, local authorities of the Shahriston district refused to receive them.  

Meetings in the Ghonchi and Zafarobod districts mainly focused on water shortage and land distribution problems (about meetings in Ayni, Kuhistoni Mastchoh and Panjakent districts see the Asia-Plus Blitz materials of July 15, 3008).     

“During the meetings, residents of the Sughd province also raised the issue of programs of Tajik national TV,” said the spokesman, “According to them, the national TV broadcasts do not have national image and cultural spirit and that they allegedly do not reflect realities of life.” 

Sayfullozoda added that probably it is the main reason “for serious influence of Uzbek TV channels in some districts of northern Tajikistan.” 

We will recall that in early July, the IRPT leader visited Khatlon’s Shuroobod and Khovaling districts, where he got acquainted with activities of the IRPT organizations in the districts and met with local populations.