DUSHANBE, March 16, 2009, Asia-Plus — The Independent Tajik Television, Simoi Mustaqili Tojikistion (SMT) has not operated since March 13.
Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, the SMT director Zinatullo Ismoilov said the TV station had suspended operations due to financial problems. “Electricity supplies to our studio that is located on the 8th floor of Sharqi Ozod (state publishing house at president’s office) were cut off on March 13 due to our electricity debts,” the director said.
“Although our electricity debts are inconsiderable, we cannot repay them because of the financial crisis that had affected us,” said Ismoilov, “We have applied to the Sharqi Ozod top managers, asking to resume electricity supplies to our studio but they have refused our request.”
We will recall that the Simoi Mustaqili Tojikiston began operating on June 18, 2007. SMT could be picked up in Dushanbe as well as Roudaki, Vahdat, Hissor and Shahrinav districts and partially in Yovon and Varzob districts.
