KARACHI, June 18: The government has planned to set up 47 radio stations in various areas of the country to create awareness among the masses about socio-economic issues and their solutions including promotion of literacy. This was stated by the State Minister for Information, Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, while speaking to working women during a luncheon meeting with them here on Saturday.

She said that in the present era, radio had again emerged as a strong media in the world. In advanced countries, people get information about weather, traffic flow etc.

The minister said that the government was expanding radio base with installation of more transmitters throughout the country so as to benefit the common man from the service directly where satellite transmission arrangement was not available.

She said along with giving total freedom to private TV channels, the government had made the Pakistan Television as an autonomous body where opposition version was also being duly accommodated. The Pemra was also set up to facilitate and streamline private TV channels, she added.

About print media, the minister said, many relaxations had been accorded to it that included lessening the control of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. — APP