ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: BBC World Service is reaching out to audiences across South Asia with the launch of a special English-language news and current affairs programme - broadcast from and tailored for the region.

From Monday (October 20), Evening Report will bring half an hour daily news and information programme and the most relevant global stories for the audiences in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Broadcast live every weekday evening from the BBC Delhi bureau, the Evening Report’s regular presenter will be Tinku Ray. “This is a fresh way of telling the region what's happening across South Asia,” Tinku says.

“It's always exciting to be the launch presenter of a new and ambitious programme, and I want our millions of listeners to share in that excitement.”From Monday to Friday, Evening Report is essential listening for anyone across South Asia who seeks a global perspective of the events in the region and wants to keep abreast of key world news.

Evening Report brings its South Asian audiences news and analysis of the day’s political, business and sports developments as well as human interest stories reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of the region.

News Editor, BBC World Service, Andrew Whitehead, says: “The BBC has a fantastic network of reporters across South Asia, and Evening Report will be using them to provide our listeners with up-to-the-minute news coverage and analysis of the region and beyond. This will be a lively, engaging programme - from South Asia, for South Asia.”

In its first week on air, Evening Report will feature interviews with key decision makers and political leaders across the region, among them Nepal's new President, Ram Baran Yadav. Presenter Tinku Ray will also be reporting from India's space centre.

There are plans for Evening Report to be anchored from capital cities across the region.

Evening Report will be broadcast on shortwave across the region, on Worldspace satellite, via BBC Global News channel covering South and East Asia.

The programme will be broadcast at 7.00 p.m local time in Pakistan.