Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb Friday inaugurated Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation’s (PBC) new music channel ‘Dhanak-94’ aimed at providing a platform to emerging singers, artists and compares to prove their skills.

She unveiled the plaque of the new studio along with Director General PBC Shafqat Jaleel, directors and senior officers of the ministry. Following which, the channel started its transmission simultaneously from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

Marriyum Aurangzeb participated in live transmission of the channel and congratulated Radio Pakistan for initiating such a remarkable programme, saying that it would not only help revive past glory of the Radio but also serve as a ‘talent hunt’ platform. She expressed confidence that such programmes would prove to be beneficial in bringing positive change in harsh attitudes and ending the culture of intolerance from the society, which unfortunately got its roots during last 35 years due to the tendencies of extremism and terrorism.

She said it was the hallmark of the Radio and Pakistan Television that they identified and produced the world fame singers and artists from different parts of the country, who became identity of Pakistan among the comity of nations.

The minister said this channel would help restart the past practice to explore new talent and encourage the youth by providing them an opportunity to prove their mettle.

She said this channel would entertain its listeners through a wide range of music, projecting soft image of the country, besides rich culture and national heritage.

Later, addressing the inaugural ceremony of the new music channel here, Marriyum Aurangzeb said it was a good initiative of the PBC in the present scenario when almost all private channels were focusing on news and current affair programmes.

She said the idea of new channel was conceived by the ministry around six months ago as part of the 70-year celebrations of the country.

The minister said Radio Pakistan had always played a proactive role in promoting peace, love, brotherhood, national culture and heritage, which was highly admired by all members of the society. Although, she said, the number of television channels had increased manifold during last 10 to 15 years, but unfortunately they could not bring any positive impact in the society especially with regard to promoting the culture of tolerance in the society.

She regretted that intolerance was rampant in the society as the country faced twin menaces of extremism and terrorism during the last 35 years. Due to effective policies, she said, the present government succeeded in eliminating the menace of terrorism to greater extent in a short span of four and a half years.

Commenting on sincere efforts of the ministry to promote art and culture, Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government had introduced first-ever film and culture policy with a view to revive dormant film industry and to promote the culture of Pakistan.

She said under the film policy, various incentives had been given to producers and filmmakers so that they could produce quality films, promoting core national values. Marriyum Aurangzeb also expressed her resolve to extend maximum facilities for welfare of the artist community as no society could progress where voice of artist was suppressed.

She said the impact of the new policy would start emerging in five to 10 years, which would take the country’s film industry to a new height.

Published in Daily Times, May 12^th 2018.