ISLAMABAD: Despite an announcement by the government that the plan to lease out the headquarters of Radio Pakistan has been shelved, angry employees on Thursday forced the director general out of his office to lodge their protest, forcing the information minister to issue a statement saying that action would be taken against those involved in the incident.

After the strong reaction from the employees of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) and other segments of society, the government reversed its decision to lease out the headquarters on Wednesday, but employees were not satisfied.

The acting director general of Radio Pakistan, Shafqat Jalil, who is also Principal Information Officer (PIO), was not allowed to sit in his office on Thursday morning.

Mr Jalil arrived in the office at around 11.30am from the PIO office at the Press Information Department. Soon after his arrival, scores of PBC employees entered the DG office and requested him to leave the place after accusing him of conspiring against the interests of Radio Pakistan and its employees.

After a few minutes, Mr Jalil left the DG office amid cheers and taunts from protesting employees who had even filled the hallway outside the DG office.

Govt plan to lease out headquarters was dropped, but employees remain dissatisfied

On the other hand, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said that action would be taken against those who had mistreated the DG and forcibly restricted him from performing his duty.

“Not all employees were involved in the row; only four people are involved and we will take action against them,” Mr Chaudhry told a press conference on Thursday.

Though he did not name anybody, the minister was referring to leaders of the Radio Pakistan CBA Union.

Talking to Dawn, leaders of the Radio Pakistan CBA Union expressed defiance and acknowledged that they had acted on behalf of all employees because they thought that Mr Jalil was conspiring against the interests of Radio Pakistan and its employees.

“He [Mr Jalil] has no interest in this entity and he is only serving the interests of those who want to grab this building and its land without any concern for employees or the importance of radio in any country,” said Ijaz Ahmed, the secretary general of the Radio Pakistan CBA Union.

Referring to the information minister’s announcement of taking action against leaders of the union, the CBA leader said: “Easier said than done.”

He said that the information ministry wanted to take action against Radio Pakistan employees when “we were protesting outside parliament, but police and the Islamabad administration refused to create any fuss inside the Red Zone”.

Mr Ahmed said that according to the present government, the annual budget of Radio Pakistan was around Rs3.5 billion while its earnings were merely around Rs350 million to Rs400m.

He said the government had pledged in 1972 to bear all expenditures of Radio Pakistan while making the entity a corporation.

Mr Ahmed said that the union had suggested to the government several times that Rs7.5 billion was collected from Rs35 of PTV’s licence fee and Radio Pakistan’s income would go up if Rs5 out of the PTV’s licence fee was given to Radio Pakistan or the government should wind up all loss-making radio stations in remote areas and in bordering areas.

As if the issue of Radio Pakistan was not enough, the minister for information and broadcasting claimed that the PTV was also a loss-making entity.

The PTV also falls under his ministry and its headquarters is located close to that of the PBC in the Red Zone.

Dawn

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government has given one month’s time to the management of Radio Pakistan to table a plan to bring out the state-run broadcaster from the financial crisis it is currently facing.

The federal government had given directives t lease out Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation headquarters building in the federal capital.

However, the one month relief after a meeting held between Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry , Radio Pakistan management and representatives of employees union.
Employees of Radio Pakistan staged a protest demonstration outside the PCB headquarters and demanded that the government take back its decision otherwise they would lockdown the entire building.

Talking to The Express Tribune an official privy to the development said that the government’s plan to lease out the building is still in place.

He added that the process of compiling a feasibility report on shifting the PCB building to Pakistan Broadcasting Academy (PBA) has been halted by the Radio Pakistan’s internal staff.

Meanwhile, a notification has been issued by the PBC, stating that shifting of the Radio Pakistan headquarters “may please be treated as withdrawn”.

Later on, Federal State Minister for Parliamentary affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the protesters that “for the time being the government has taken back its decision of leasing out the Radio Pakistan building”.

He said that Radio Pakistan is a much valued institution which played a key role during 1965 war in motivating Pakistani troops.
Khan made it clear that the federal minister for information has asked the Radio Pakistan management for valuable suggestions to improve its performance by November 1.

He further assured them that Fawad Chaudhry would not take any such step without talking Radio Pakistan employees in to confidence.

The Express Tribune

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The News International: Decision to lease out state-run radio building withdrawn

Employees of Radio Pakistan on Monday held a peaceful demonstration in Islamabad and other Units of the organization across the country in protest against the decision of the government to lease out Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Headquarters building.

Employees of all the wings of the national broadcaster participated in the demonstrations and demanded the government to withdraw its decision.

They said Radio Pakistan is a historical institution projecting the soft image of the country across the world.

Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain also held talks with the representatives of Radio Pakistan’s protesting employees regarding the Ministry’s proposal to give building of Radio Pakistan’s headquarters on lease and shifting of National Broadcasting House to Pakistan Broadcasting Academy in H-9 Islamabad.

Later, the minister said the headquarters is not being shifted within a month. He said the employees will be consulted regarding the issue.

Chaudhry Fawad said institutions cannot grow until employees are satisfied with their working conditions.

Earlier, PPP leaders including Senator Farhatullah Babar, Khurshid Shah, Nafisa Shah and former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb visited the protesting employees of Radio Pakistan and expressed solidarity with them.

They said Radio Pakistan is a national institution and it needs to be strengthened.

Talking to media on the occasion, Marriyum Aurangzeb urged the government to avoid taking this step.  She said the opposition will support the government for reforms but nothing should be done against the interest of national institutions.

The Nation

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Business Recorder: Radio Pakistan employees hold country wide protest against Govt decision to lease out PBC HQs’ building

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday said the building of Radio Pakistan will be given on lease to build Pak Media University and in this regard it has asked for proposal from the department concerned.

While responding over a letter shared in the official Whatsapp group of Ministry of Information stating that a proposal may be prepared on giving Radio Pakistan Headquarters on long-term lease and shifting of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation headquarters to PBC Academy in H-9, the federal minister said, “just like PBC headquarters there are a number of dead properties which will be utilised for generating funds.”

Earlier, however, some senior officials of the ministry denied this move while terming this letter, ‘fake.’ But a sudden and unexpected reply of the information minister himself in the official Whatsapp group said it all.

Chaudhry said, “Radio Pakistan building was built in the 1950s when large transmitters were required. However now radio could easily be run from one room and doesn’t require a huge land. Pakistan needs research institutes instead of all this.” The federal minister, who gave an incorrect year of its construction, faced criticism from media persons.

Meanwhile, he said two universities of international standard will be established in the red zone, one will be in the Prime Minister House and the second will be in the PBC building. “Without having universities as per international level we cannot move forward,” he said.

Chaudhry said that the lease of PBC building will be done in consultation with the Ministry of Planning.

While replying to a query he said currently there are no plans for leasing out Pakistan Television Islamabad headquarters. He also announced that an amount of one million dollar will be used for upgrading PTV.

Meanwhile on September 19, the PBC headquarters shared the Ministry of Information’s letter regarding shifting of PBC headquarters to PBA with the officials of PBC and requested their viewpoint in the matter by September 25 for preparation of the proposal for onward submission to the ministry.

The Express Tribune

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Dawn: Ministry plans long-term lease for Radio Pakistan premises, upsets employees

The News: Creating funds for new university: Govt plans to lease out state-run radio building

Minister for information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid inaugurated 10 KW medium wave transmitter at Radio Pakistan Karachi today.

Director General Radio Pakistan Saba Mohsin and other officials concerned were also present on the occasion.

Our Karachi correspondent Altaf Pirzado reports that the transmitter has been installed by Radio Pakistan from its own resources at a cost of 37 million rupees to improve the transmission.

With the functioning of this transmitter, Radio Pakistan Karachi’s broadcasts can now be listened to in a radius of 200 kilometres, even in Thatta, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, Bhit Shah, Matiri and other areas.

The work on installation of 100 KW digital transmitter at Larkana and two short wave transmitters at Landhi Karachi is also in final stages.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage, Pervaiz Rashid has stressed upon the need of spreading the message of peace, love and harmony through media to discourage the haters and extremism and promoting tolerance in the society.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of 10 KW medium wave transmitter at Radio Pakistan Karachi today he praised the role of engineers and administration of the Radio Pakistan for installing transmitter from its resources.

He said whole country particularly Karachi has paid huge cost because of terrorism therefore the atmosphere of peace and harmony is required to be promoted in the society.

Earlier, Director General Radio Pakistan Miss Saba Raza stressed upon the need of harmonizing all the broadcasting houses of the Radio Pakistan in the line with modernization in the technology.

Radio Pakistan

Riaz Ahmed Khan joined Central News Organisation of Radio Pakistan in December 1970 and superannuated in April 1997.

It was his passion for news reading that he kept on reading news bulletins of Radio Pakistan even after retirement till his confinement to bed in November 2010.

Riaz Ahmed Khan had also offered his services to many government organisations as a background voice.

These included some defence organisations, Inter-Services Public Relations, Pakistan Television, presidency, 23rd March prestigious investiture ceremonies, and many other private organisations.
Riaz Ahmed Khan died on this day in 2011.

Radio Pakistan

Radio Pakistan is airing special programmes to mark World Radio Day being observed today [Saturday] to highlight the role of this medium.

The objective of the World Radio Day observed on February 13 is to raise greater awareness among the public about the importance of radio, encourage decision makers to establish and provide access to information through radio, as well as to enhance networking and international cooperation among broadcasters. Radio Pakistan, being the largest broadcasting organization and national broadcaster, has access to 96 percent population of the country.

It is the hallmark of the state broadcaster that is it reaching all communities in country by broadcasting programmes in 23 local languages. To promote country’s policies and image, programmes are being aired in 10 foreign languages as well while programmes can be accessed anywhere in world because of audio-streaming.

To highlight significance of World Radio Day, special feature titled, ‘Radio Ki Kahani Marconi Ki Zubani’ will be aired at 03:30 p.m, documentary ‘Radio Lehroon Se Social Media Tak’ at 03:45 p.m, and discussion program, ‘Samaji Falah-o-Taraqui Kay Liyeh Shaoor Ujagar Karney Mein Radio Ka Kirdar’ will be aired at 04:05 p.m. All these programmes will be aired on national hookup. Special songs will be aired from different radio stations of the country to highlight the significance of this media.

In his message on the World Radio Day, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid said Radio Pakistan is playing an important role in national cohesion.

Pervaiz Rashid lauded the Radio Pakistan in educating the people to ensure progress and prosperity of the country.

In a message on the occasion, Director General, Radio Pakistan, Syed Muhammad Imran Gardezi says Radio Pakistan has been turned into a vibrant medium to promote peace, interfaith harmony and culture, to educate people in peace time and natural disasters.

The Director General expressed the resolve to ensure that Radio Pakistan continues to serve as a voice of the nation and promote image of Pakistan at international level.

Radio Pakistan

Director General, Radio Pakistan, Syed Muhammad Imran Gardezi says Radio Pakistan has been turned into a vibrant medium to promote peace, interfaith harmony and culture, to educate people in peace time and natural disasters.

In a message on the occasion of World Radio Day, he said, with access to 98 percent population of the country, Radio Pakistan focuses on improvement of different formats of programmes to cater the needs of different segments of society.

To make this easily-accessible medium more effective, Radio Pakistan broadcasts programmes in 23 languages spoken in different provinces and regions of the country. In spite of revolution in media, radio’s role in Pakistan, as well as in the world, cannot be underestimated. Setting up of 200 FM channels in private sector in the country over the past few years is an example of effectiveness of this medium.

Radio Pakistan has taken result-oriented steps by replacing the aging transmitters by digital ones to make the signals stronger, by redesigning our programmes keeping in view the feedback from listeners and consultations with veteran broadcasters to make full use of this medium to achieve lofty ideals.

He said significant changes have been brought in current affairs programmes and news bulletins by accommodating views of all stakeholders at national level.

The Director General said special emphasis has also been laid on purely merit-based induction of professionals and imparting them training to equip them with latest techniques of broadcasting to make Radio Pakistan a competitive broadcasting organization.
He said Radio Pakistan said has launched dedicated Saut-ul-Koran Network to promote Islam’s message of peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony at a time when terrorists are out to thrust their pernicious designs.

He expressed the resolve to ensure that Radio Pakistan continues to serve as a voice of the nation and promote image of Pakistan at international level.

Radio Pakistan

Director General Radio Pakistan, Syed Muhammad Imran Gardezi inaugurated the section here Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, he said it has been the hallmark of Radio Pakistan that it always aired credible news and current affairs programs.

The DG said an agreement has been concluded with Bremz Company to introduce radio application for every mobile set to further extend outreach of the Radio Pakistan.

He said the move would earn revenue for Radio Pakistan and make it self-sustainable. Old transmitters were also being replaced with new ones to ensure quality broadcast of radio programs in every nook and corner of the country, he added.

He lauded efforts of Director News and Current Affairs, Mushtaq Ahmed Kaifi and head Current Affairs Channel, Javaid Khan Jadoon for making news and current affairs programs popular. Speaking on the occasion, anchor-persons Doctor Shoaib and Masood Baig said Radio Pakistan always served as nursery to groom talent in different departments of broadcasting. Javaid Khan Jadoon, in his welcome address, highlighted objectives of the newly established Research and Reference Section.

Daily Times

The 38th death anniversary of eminent Urdu poet humorist and travelogue writer Sher Muhammad Khan, also known as, Ibn-e-Insha was observed on Monday throughout the country. Ibn-e-Insha was born in Jalandhar district of Indian Punjab in 1927. He later migrated to Pakistan. He got fame from his humorous poetry and columns. He died because of blood cancer on January, 1978 in London and buried in Karachi Paposh Nagar cemetery.

Ibn-e-Insha’s poetry has a distinctive diction, laced with language reminiscent of Amir Khusro in its use of words and construction that is usually heard in the more earthy dialects of the Hindi-Urdu complex of languages and his forms and poetic style is an influence on generations of young poets. His poetry was simple but had depth. Ibn-e-Insha did his BA from the Punjab University in 1946 and MA from the University of Karachi in 1953. He was associated with various public departments, including Radio Pakistan, Ministry of Culture and the National Book Centre.

He also served the UN for some time, which enabled him to visit a lot of places and consequently produce subsequent travelogues. His book is Basti Key Ik Koochey Main (poetry) was published in August 1976 and until 2003, 22 more editions had been published. Ibn-e-Insha’s famous poetic works are “Chand Nagar” and “Dil-e-Wehshi”, while travelogues are Awara Gard Ki Diary, Dunya Gol Hey, Ibn-e-Batoota Kay Taqub Main, Chaltay Ho To Chamanko Chaliye and Nagri Nagri Phira Musafar. His humorous books are Khumar-e-Gandum and Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitaab. The first edition of Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitaab was published in July 1971 and until 2003, 33 more editions had been published. His collection of letters is Khat Insha Jee Kay.

Business Recorder