On air: Information minister meets representatives of FM stations

Urges them to come up with shows highlighting government’s performance in the province.

PESHAWAR:

The administration of government-run FM radio stations of Mardan and Peshawar on Monday informed K-P Minister for Information Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani of their issues and appealed to him to resolve them as soon as possible.

The administration of both FM radio stations briefed the provincial minister about the recent structure, function and other related matters during a meeting held on Monday at the Information Secretariat.

Secretary Information and Public Relations Muhammad Israr, Director Information Imdadullah and other officials of the department were also present on the occasion.

Director of the FM Radio station in Peshawar, also identified as Pakhtunkhwa Radio, Shoaibuddin, and station manager of FM Radio Mardan, Shamsul Haq, told the minister and other officials during the meeting the broadcast of both FM stations is heard in many districts of K-P and some parts of Fata.



They added both stations produce popular programmes in line with the taste of its audience, claiming most are based on reformative and developmental subjects to inform people about important and critical issues.

FM radio officials said they also air health, agricultural, tourism, current affairs, sports, music and other entertainment shows.

Later, information minister, Mushtaq Ghani, instructed officials of the information department to facilitate both radio stations to help them produce good work. He also asked the radio staff to promote a positive image of the government and inform people about ongoing development work across the province.

Ghani suggested radio stations should design programmes in which members of the provincial cabinet inform the public about the performance of their respective departments and ministries.

The information minister said opposition parties should also be given airtime to express their opinions through government-run radios, adding it will not only make people aware of the ongoing situation in the province, but also generate useful feedback.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2014.