The show has been viewed in Pakistan before, in the early 1990s, although it was in English and the characters and context could only be understood by a westernised minority of Pakistani children. In April 2011,
USAID announced that it would fund $20 million to start a local version of
Sesame Street in
Pakistan.
Sesame Street has had many
co-productions around the world and the one in Pakistan is the first localised version in the country itself. The show began airing in December 2011 on
PTV, after two years of production.
Termination of funding In June 2012, it was reported that the US had terminated its funding of the programme. This was later verified by the
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad. At the time, just under $7 million had actually been given to the group. The theatre said they would seek alternative sources of funding to continue the production of the show.
2013–present In 2020
Grover and other Sim Sim Hamara puppets performed at the Rafi Peer 29th International Puppet Festival in
Karachi. == Content ==