Daily Times

Sir: It is a matter of great regret and concern that those who have been and are presently treading the corridors of powers in Islamabad have been and are continuing to show very low priority to Radio Pakistan despite its established importance within the country and abroad as the official spokesman of Pakistan Government merely because it an audio medium only.

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has so far said nothing good about Radio Pakistan but to the contrary is bent upon renting out PBC Headquarters in Islamabad and taking other negative measures as well to close down Radio Pakistan ultimately God forbid. He should better try to be friendly towards radio, PTV employees and also the media people.

The ill-advised proposal to lease out PBC Headquarters for overcoming financial crisis was put off after Radio Pakistan employee’s protests throughout the country. The proposal was reported to be put on hold on a notification issued by the Administration Wing of the PBC whereas the Federal Government is still sticking to its not so good and appreciable thinking.

Radio Pakistan somehow has not enough earnings of its own, every month the Finance Ministry doles out about Rs 33 crore for payment of salaries to the serving employees and pensions to the retired employees. Nothing is left out for other expenses as such.

Why electricity consumers are not being asked to pay very meagre amount of Rs 5 per month with their power bills for Radio Pakistan’s much needed survival. Radio Pakistan Fee of Rs 5 can easily replace Neelum Jhelum surcharge which they are paying for years together as the hydropower project has since been completed and there is no justification for surcharge to continue till December 2018.

MAH SHEIKH

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, October 14^th 2018.