Anniversary: Radio Bahawalpur turns 38

‘Radio is the sole source of information for many in the region’.

BAHAWALPUR:

Radio Pakistan Bahawalpur has done the region great service by promoting and preserving the rich heritage, traditions, music and literature of Cholistan and the Seraiki belt, Education and Training Minister Muhammad Baleeghur Rehman said at a ceremony held to mark the radio station’s 38th anniversary on Monday.

He said that the station had also played an important role for the socio-economic uplift of south Punjab. “I hope the station will continue to serve the country with the same zeal in the future as well,” Rehman said.

He promised financial support for the up-grade of the station’s transmitter and renovation of its building.

Islamia University Bahawalpur and Government Sadiq College Women University Bahawalpur Vice Chancellor Muhammad Mukhtar said that the radio station had retained its significance as an effective medium for information dissemination.

“The fact that radio programmes are so popular among people from various socio-economic backgrounds is proof of its importance,” he said. Local artistes Faqira Bhagat and Perveen Nazar owed their fame to the radio station.

MPA Fouzia Ayub Qureshi said that Radio Bahawalpur was the sole medium of information and entertainment for many in Bahawalpur.

Journalist Majeed Gill said that in spite of its limited resources, Radio Bahawalpur was performing a great service for the people of the region by keeping its listeners updated through news bulletins and programmes.

Radio Pakistan Bahawalpur Station Director Muhammad Javed Iqbal said that the station not only highlighted megaprojects and the government’s policies for welfare, but was also an excellent source of information, entertainment and education for listeners.

Several programmes were aired in Urdu and Seraiki, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2013.