APROPOS the editorial (March 1), Radio Pakistan is a symbol of our statehood and nationalism. It should not be treated as a burden on the state coffers nor a profit-making entity.

It has helped in promoting the Urdu language and creating a sense of national unity. It has discovered hundreds of artists, singers and musicians from all regions of our homeland and given them fame.

I prefer radio over television because one can listen while working or even driving. Radio does not put as much pressure on our senses as television, and TV also destroys our love for reading.

Radio Pakistan should not depend on the traditional means of broadcast. It should launch an Android application, a Symbian application and a PC application. It should also launch a music portal on the internet. Its exclusive archives should be made available to listeners as it is only Radio Pakistan that has such a vast audio repertoire.

It should start new programmes keeping in mind modern needs. It can cover the debates in parliament and provincial assemblies. There is a lot that can be done to cover education science, environment protection, sports, drama and entertainment. If we can take such measures, Radio Pakistan will once again regain its popular following.

Muhammad Ashtar

Islamabad

Published in Dawn March 5th , 2015

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