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| FM radios in tribal areas not to close: Kaira |
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Friday, October 16, 2009
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Thursday ruled out the possibility of closure of three FM radio stations in Fata, countering the dangerous propaganda being spread by the extremist outfits.
These radio stations, established in 2004-2006 by the Fata Secretariat, are being run by the Federally Administered Tribal Areas Civil Secretariat. Reacting to some media reports that these FM radio stations were being closed, Kaira said that the democratic government was fighting a multi-pronged battle against terrorists, and would not waver in its commitment to root out violent extremism from Pakistan.
“Radio broadcast is our primary information and communication tool in the far-flung areas where the government is tackling the militant extremism,” said Kaira, adding, “The government has been disseminating counter-terrorism and counter-extremism public outreach and messaging to the whole nation, particularly residents of Swat, Malakand and Fata through a range of electronic, print and outdoor media.”
He cited the example of the successful launch and transmission of Radio Swat through collaborative efforts of the Information Ministry and the military in February ahead of the Operation Rah-e-Raast, which played a significant role in countering the extremist propaganda in that region, and which continued to enjoy wide audience for its daily transmission.
He maintained the democratic government was waging a battle with bullets against violent extremism not only on the ground but was also fighting a war on airwaves to counter the extremist propaganda and win the hearts and minds of vulnerable population segments.
Kaira said, “We have been working day and night to reach out to our brothers and sisters living in the conflict zones in Swat, Malakand and Fata with message of peace, courage and hope in the face of dangerous extremist propaganda.”
The minister promised every possible measure to remove bottlenecks and to continue the operations and transmission of the FM radio stations in Fata. The three stations were set up in the Jamrud Tehsil of the Khyber Agency and Miramshah and Razmak areas of the North Waziristan Agency to counter the dangerous propaganda being spread by extremist organisations.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
