KPK government to launch satellite TV channel to cope anti-government propaganda, donors to fund the project
Peshawar : The Provincial government will soon to established its own satellite channel for which the government has already invited applications from various firms to conduct feasibility study of the project so it will be started within short possible time.
Khyber Pukhtunkhwa government has also discussed the implementation of the project with US Aid and other donor agencies, who assured to fund the project under the strategic communication development policy. Initially, the provincial government has planned to start informative, educative and entertainment programs in Pashto and other regional languages besides portraying the government success in various fields. The meager financial resources of the province however has been the main hurdle in implementation and early completion of the project but still government is seriously working on it therefore the TV project has been made part of the Annual Development Program (ADP) 2010 and some funds have been allocated to bear the initial cast of the project. With abolishment of the concurrent list after the passage of 18th amendment, the provincial government of ANP is now seriously working to start the Pashto TV Channel to counter the anti- propaganda beside develops the regional languages.
Besides starting TV channel, the government has planned to establish 10 more FM radio Channels in various districts of province so it will help to bring social change in the society and plug the holes which the extremist could exploit through propagation of their agenda on illegal FM Channels. World Association of Community Broadcasters (AMARC) and Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) had also offered the provincial government to provide technical assistance to various communities in flood hit areas for establishment of Community Radio System in the flood affected parts of the province which will play vital role in rehabilitation and re-construction process. During their meeting with minister information Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Mian Iftikhar Hussain representatives of AMARC Mr. Steve Buckley, Imam Parkas, Junichie Hibino, Tooru Satou along with editor PPI and PPF Nasir Ijaz discussed the possibility of establishing community radios in flood affected parts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Government of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa while welcoming the idea of community radio system assured AMARC and PPF that government will facilitate the establishment of the radios incase PEMRA has permitted these stations in Pakistan.
Minister Information Mian Iftikhar told the delegates of AMARC and PPF that provincial government wants to develop the communication network in form of radio FM channels and local TV but keeping in view the existing situation of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, step for establishment a radio controlled by the community will needs extreme care. The delegation also discussed the possibility of community radio system with secretary information Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Hanif Aurakzai who informed the delegates that provincial government has planned to start satellite TV channel besides establishing FM radio channels at different districts of the province. Representatives of AMMARC and PPF also met with Regional Manager PEMRA Nasir Ayub and briefed him about the success of community radio in post disasters period in Chilly, Haiti and in Indonesia after Tsunami. Regional chief of PEMRA informed that the authority has been succeeded to seize 200 illegal FM radio channels in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and working to facilitate the non-commercial radios in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. For the purpose campus radio channels in Peshawar and Gomal university D.I Khan have been licensed besides KP government has also been allowed to set up a FM channel with the name of Pukhtunkhwa radio for the IDPs of Malakand, but owing to the successful operation of Pukhtunkhwa radio, the period of its license has recently been extended for 6 months.
Source: One Pakistan
Date:1/16/2011
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