Radio Pakistan employees staged a rally here on Wednesday to express gratitude to the government for regularizing 661 ad-hoc staffers of the organisation.
Speaking amidst slogans in favour of President Asif Ali Zardari‚ Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and the government‚ Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the regularisation of the employees was in line with the manifesto of Pakistan People’s Party. She said it would help further strengthen Radio Pakistan as a national institution.
The information minister said Radio Pakistan was the mother of electronic media and had a unique distinction of announcing the creation of Pakistan. “The government is committed to further strengthening and making it a financially viable and profitable organisation. A roadmap in this connection has been prepared and forwarded to the Finance Ministry,” she added. Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan dispelled the impression that the recently levied two percent tax by the telecom operators was a ‘radio tax’. She said no ‘radio tax’ had so far been levied. She said the two percent was levied by the telecom operators on their own for what they say to improve their services. She regretted that a section of the media and some political leaders who raised hue and cry over the proposed revival of radio licence fee were acting as silent spectators on this tax on the consumers. She said soon a gift in the shape of a housing scheme would be given to the employees of Radio Pakistan, adding the president would himself inaugurate the scheme. She said it was for the first time that Radio Pakistan had been made partner in airing commentary of Asia Cricket Cup. She said Radio Pakistan was a medium of masses and its voice reached every household. Appreciating the services of the PBC employees and Director General Murtaza Solangi‚ she expressed the confidence that they would continue to work with diligence to make the organisation profitable. The Radio Pakistan Employees Union thanked the minister and the government for fulfilling their longstanding demands and hoped that the promises made by Dr Firdous would be materialised very soon.
Now someone is trying to re-invent the wheel by making Radio Commercially "Viable". It’s just like trying to win Formula 1 by riding a donkey. Wake guys, we are well into 21st century & you are pinning your hopes on something which has long lost its charm. In think the time has arrived to give a heavy dose of Euthanasia to both Radio & Print Media once & for all!
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