Pursuing the task to educate, entertain and inform the public about policies of democratic government, Radio Pakistan during last one year has brought them in stream on all major issues and accommodated their aspirations on major national and international issues.
This medium of information round-the-clock accorded extensive coverage to the initiatives of present government and helped foster its policies to develop the social and economic sectors and its resolve to improve the condition of the commonman in its national and regional programmes.
According to information, the PPP led coalition has completed its first year in government and during the period Radio Pakistan highlighted its various initiatives such as 100 days programmes, energy saving campaign, measures to overcome the food crisis, expansion of utility stores network and facilities, improvement in law and order situation and war against terrorism.
The role of Radio Pakistan in highlighting the steps taken by the government to ensure freedom of electronic and print media, stability of democracy, creating harmony among the provinces, strengthening of the institutions, achievement in Foreign Policy and Prime Minister's visits abroad also commendable.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani unveiled his 100 days plan in the parliament, focusing on giving immediate relief to people for food, electricity and water etc. Radio Pakistan highlighted these priorities of the government in its national and regional programmes.
The wave of terrorism also got special attention in the programmes broadcast to draw the attention of the listeners towards this menace and to counter it with courage.
PBC's religious service also contributed a lot to educate the people on the true spirit of Islam, the importance of moderation and enlightenment.
During the year, special attention to the youth community was another factor amongst the broad-based activities to educate and attract this vital element in the fold of national development and their responsibilities as the true heirs of the country.
The importance of women folk, their role in the society and the development activities of the countries, in line with the policy of the government, was also of prime focus in programmes broadcast for this section of the society.
During the period, role played by the government to improve lot of women, youth, peasants and labourers was vigorously portrayed in different programmes meant for those vital segments of the society.
PBC also presented programmes for overseas Pakistanis in its world service and for listeners in other countries on implementation of government policies and dissemination of information and projection of image of the country.
An exclusive current affairs channel, national broadcasting service, operating 17 hours daily to inform the masses on current affairs situation was also inaugurated. PBC also arranged Station Directors' Conference which reviewed the entire programming of the corporation and approved a new community broadcasting vision.
During the period, Radio Pakistan gave equal opportunity to government and opposition leaders to present their point of views on different issues. PBC also started a five minutes local Sindhi bulletin from Larkana.
The news Wing of PBC is putting on air 120 news bulletins daily in National, Regional, and External, Sports, Business, Weather, District and Local News areas. PBC News also projected the social welfare schemes of PPP led government including Benazir Income Support Programme and other development projects.
A new 100 KW short wave transmitter has been installed and commissioned at Rawat, Islamabad to augment World & External services of PBC targeted to various regions of the world.
An FM radio station has been commissioned at Bhit Shah, Sindh and put on air to provide community broadcast services in the town.
Five major stations including National Broadcasting House, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta have been connected through Intranet system to ensure audio and text file sharing.
A computerized remote access system has been evolved for the first time ever by PBC engineers by which the FM transmitter housed at the rooftop of National Broadcasting House (NBH), Islamabad is being remotely controlled and monitored from the Master Control Room housed in the studio area at the basement of the building. (by Associated Press in Pakistan via Arnaldo Slaen)
