PESHAWAR, Sep 22 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday inaugurated the state of the art newly rehabilitated and renovated building of Radio Pakistan Peshawar. The rehabilitation project was completed in a record five months and 26 days at an estimated cost of Rs 100 million. The minister unveiled a plaque to formally inaugurate the newly renovated, state-of-the-art building of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Peshawar, which was …
Attaullah Tarar inaugurates state of art newly rehabilitated Radio Pakistan Peshawar building
PESHAWAR, Sep 22 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday inaugurated the state of the art newly rehabilitated and renovated building of Radio Pakistan Peshawar.
The rehabilitation project was completed in a record five months and 26 days at an estimated cost of Rs 100 million.
The minister unveiled a plaque to formally inaugurate the newly renovated, state-of-the-art building of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Peshawar, which was set on fire by a violent mob on May 10, 2023.
Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Information and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, Member Provincial Assembly Malik Tariq Awan, besides other senior leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), were present on the occasion.
Director General PBC, Saeed Ahmad Sheikh said following the unfortunate incident of May 10, 2023, transmission from PBC Peshawar was restored within 26 hours.
He said PBC Peshawar had the unique honour of broadcasting the announcement of Pakistan’s independence in both Pashto and Urdu on14 August 1947. The historic building was inaugurated in 1985.
Addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a land of brave people. He said during his recent visit to the injured of the Kohat blast at CMH, an injured person had told him that he was ready to fight terrorists.
He said the father of another blast victim, Fahimullah Shaheed, had also reiterated that his son had laid down his life for Pakistan, describing it as a commendable spirit.
The minister claimed that despite 13 years and six months of PTI rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, neither hospitals nor schools were constructed on the required scale and the province was kept backward.
He said the PML-N believed in progress and development refering to networks of Danash schools, while accusing the PTI of being associated with vandalism and destruction.
He said Radio Pakistan Peshawar was attacked with an ill objective of depriving the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of access to credible information and quality entertainment.
He said the May 9 unfortunate incidents had exposed what he described as the “ill designs” of the PTI.
The minister said the people of Pakistan were aware of the elements who had set Radio Pakistan Peshawar on fire, damaged the statue of Kargil War hero Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed and vandalized Jinnah House in Lahore.
He said the ransacking of Captain Karnal Sher Khan’s statue, whose bravery had even been recognized by the enemy army, was highly deplorable.
Attaullah Tarar claimed that the PTI government had failed to strengthen the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), police and establish a forensic laboratory in Peshawar despite receiving billions of rupees in funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) for combating terrorism.
He also questioned the provincial government’s approach towards countering terrorism and claimed that the PTI leadership was reluctant to confront the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that are attacking our security forces and civilians.
He said the federal government would continue its efforts until the last terrorist was eliminated from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The minister announced that the monument of Chagai Mountain, which was also damaged during the May 9 attack on the Radio Pakistan premises, would be reconstructed on a larger scale.
Attaullah Tarar said that, in contrast, the PML-N had contributed to making Pakistan an atomic power and had developed a network of motorways, besides constructing the Kohat Tunnel.
He claimed that the PTI leadership had focused its politics on release of its incarcerated leader instead of the country’s development and public welfare.
Attaullah Tarar said doctors from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were moving to Punjab for professional practice because of what he described as better healthcare facilities there, while the health system in KP faced various challenges.
He said the PTI could not mislead the masses through slogans or social media propaganda, adding that only the courts would decide the cases involving the PTI leader.
Attaullah Tarar said no violent group would be allowed to disrupt peace in Islamabad during planned agitation of PTI.
He said elements involved in awarding illegal mining and timber contracts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be held accountable.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator Ikhtiar Wali Khan said the rehabilitation of PBC Peshawar in a record less than six months was a major achievement of the PML-N government.
He said the time was near when the PML-N would once again form the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier, Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar visited different sections of the newly renovated building, including its museum, and appreciated the quality of the rehabilitation work.
Radio Pakistan Peshawar station was established in 1935 during colonial rule and has the unique honour of broadcasting the announcement of Pakistan’s independence from the national broadcaster, alongside PBC Lahore.
