DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The 40th anniversary of Radio Pakistan, Dera Ismail Khan, was celebrated on the radio station’s premises in which a number of local singers, artists and citizens participated here on Friday.

Former controller Radio Pakistan Fayyaz Baloch and former controller news Gulzar Ahmed also attended the event where commissioner Dera Yahya Akhundzada was the chief guest.

Addressing the function, the commissioner said that Radio Pakistan was playing an important role in addressing the challenges facing the country in the field of national unity and security. He said that radio played a vital role in providing quality entertainment to its listeners as well as identifying the issues facing the people and creating awareness among them.

Radio Pakistan’s Dera station director Altaf Ahmad Shah in his address said that the atrocities of Indian army in occupied Kashmir were fully exposed at the international level.

The speakers said that even during the natural calamities and Covid-19 outbreak the radio provided comprehensive guidance to the people.

In the end, the commissioner distributed certificates of appreciation to the officers and personnel of Radio Pakistan, Dera, for their outstanding performance.

SERAIKI DEGREE PROGRAMME: Gomal University has started MA (private) Seraiki degree programme for the promotion and development of Seraiki language, vice-chancellor Prof Dr Iftikhar Ahmed said here on Friday.

Controller of examinations Dr Safdar Baloch officially announced the commencement of MA (private) Saraiki degree programme at the varsity.

On this occasion, Dr Ahmed said Seraiki language was spoken by a vast majority of people of the area, but no practical steps were taken for its teaching and learning.

“We have now decided to include Seraiki language in the MA (private) degree programmes,” he said and added the qualified people would play an important role in promotion of Seraiki language.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2021