Senate panel okays one-time ‘radio fee’ on new cars

Senator Irfan Siddiqui says Pakistan’s property cannot be sold at throwaway price

ISLAMABAD:

 A senate committee on Monday approved a onetime Rs500 ‘radio fee’ on the first-time registration of different kinds of vehicles.

Chairing a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information on Monday, which was also attended by two other members, Senator Fauzia Arshad and Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Senator Irfan Siddiqui maintained that more than three million cars were registered annually and they all use radio.

He proposed that if a radio fee of Rs500 is charged at the time of the registration of a vehicle, Radio Pakistan could earn Rs15 billion annually.

After thorough deliberation, the committee unanimously approved his proposal.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that Radio Pakistan holds the significance of national heritage and its buildings and lands cannot be sold at throwaway prices, neither rented out nor leased.

He said that it was extremely regrettable that retired employees of Radio Pakistan were not receiving their pensions on time.

“In these days of inflation, it is agonising and unbearable for the elderly retired employees to make ends meet without pensions,” he said adding that necessary measures should be taken to ensure the timely payment of salaries, pensions and medical facilities to employees.

The committee directed the Radio Pakistan director- general to present a comprehensive plan recommending solutions to the problems being faced by Radio Pakistan and to take it out of the financial crisis.

The committee also directed that the entry of private individuals into radio installations, testing of its studios and evaluation of lands be immediately stopped.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that terrorism was increasing and sensitive installations should not be accessible to everyone.

The sub-committee also directed that the ZA Bukhari Auditorium located in Radio Pakistan’s Islamabad headquarters be restored to its original condition immediately.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that the committee will not desist from meeting Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the rights of Radio Pakistan and its employees.

The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information is reviewing the use of Radio Pakistan's assets.

During Monday's meeting, Secretary of Information Shahira Shaheen, the Radio Pakistan director-general and other officials also attended the meeting.

It should be noted Radio Pakistan has been facing severe financial constraints for a long time due to mismanagement by successive governments.

Radio Pakistan is still regarded as the official radio channel of the Pakistani government around the world.

It has also achieved many distinctions over the years.

The financial crisis that the institution is facing is indeed a matter of great concern for the country, particularly those living in rural areas who rely mostly on the radio for information and entertainment.

The federal government is deliberating on a proposal to resuscitate the dying industry.