Mic used to announce freedom to be showcased

Historic equipment present in Lahore Radio Station

LAHORE:

The microphone through which Pakistan’s independence was announced 75 years ago is still present in the Lahore Radio Station.

Not only the Muslims of the subcontinent but people around the world also came to know that a new Muslim country had emerged on the map of the world when broadcaster Mustafa Hamdani announced on midnight of August 13, 1947, “Congratulation, Pakistan has been established.” The microphone is among old equipment still present in the radio station.

As the citizens celebrated the diamond jubilee of the country, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Programme Director Aftab Iqbal told The Express Tribune that the historic mike would soon be placed in a museum of Radio Pakistan.

He said that in addition to announcements related to the Independence Day, the same microphone was also used for broadcasting messages, national songs and speeches of leaders during the wars of 1965 and 1971.

It was used by the All India Radio before the establishment of Pakistan.

The microphone is pictured here as is the portrait of Mustafa Hamdani who announced Pakistan’s independence 75 years ago. Photos: ExpressSenior Producer Javed Shah said the people enthusiastically listened to the recorded historic announcement every year.

Iconic singer Noor Jahan also sang memorable war songs through the same microphone to applaud the armed forces and the nation.

He said the students coming to the radio station for internship become excited when they are shown the mike and citizens often ask for displaying it for the public on important occasions.

A citizen, Sohail, said the building of Radio Pakistan was decorated to celebrate the Independence Day and such items of historic importance should also be displayed on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2022.