Corruption forces Sesame Street to pull out of Pakistan partnership

washington has terminated funding for a $20 million (£13m) project to develop a Pakistani version of Sesame Street, after allegations of corruption by the local puppet theatre working on the initiative.

The show, which includes Elmo and a host of new Pakistani characters, first aired in December and was supposed to run for at least three seasons. The US hoped it would improve education in a country where one-third of primary-age children are not in school. It was also meant to increase tolerance at a time of sectarian tension.

Pakistan Today reported the cause was “severe” financial irregularities at the Rafi Peer puppet group. Officials at Rafi Peer allegedly used the US money to pay off debts and awarded ontracts to relatives, the paper said.