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HYDERABAD, July 19: A new private radio channel - Sachal FM 105 - has started 24-hour test transmission from Hyderabad.
The general manager of FM-105, Inayat Baloch, told journalists at a ceremony at the State Life building here on Monday that they had got licenses to operate from Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Larkana, Karachi and Quetta. The building houses the channel's studio.
Mr Baloch, former station director of the Radio Pakistan, Hyderabad, maintained that private radio channels generally provided music-related entertainment but FM 105 would focus on cultural, civic, health and educational issues.
He agreed with station manager Irfan Shah that folk music had been neglected by electronic media and vowed to promote folk and mysticism-based music. He said equal time would be given to Urdu and Sindhi programmes. English language programmes, including talk shows and songs, would be transmitted two hours daily.
Mr Shah said FM 105 was committed to promoting local talent. He said fresh voices would continue to be aired from the channel. The chief operating officer of the Sachal Satellite Communication, Afaq Hyder Shah, said the Sachal group would provide quality entertainment to people. He sought cooperation of media in promoting FM 105.
ACADEMICIANS VISIT: Pro-Chancellor, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Dr Hassan M. Khan; and Executive Director, Islamic International Medical College Trust, Dr Asadullah Khan; visited Mehran University of Engineering and Technology in Jamshoro on Monday.
They held meetings with MUET Vice-Chancellor Dr A.Q.K. Rajput. Dean, faculty of electrical, electronics and computer engineering, Professor (Dr) M.R. Abro; Chairman, department of electronics, telecommunication and biomedical engineering, Professor (Dr) B.S. Chowdhry; and Registrar, Professor (Dr) M.A. Uqaili, were also present in the meeting.
They discussed matters of mutual interest and sharing of expertise in the field of engineering between both the universities. Professor Rajput briefed the delegation about the steps university had taken for imparting quality engineering education, which had earned it the ISO certificate.
The VC said that the university was following its academic calendar in letter and spirit. The guests also paid a visit to recently established state-of-the-art laboratory of biomedical engineering, which was first of its kind in the country.
