Steps on to boost cultural image of NWFP(PUKHTUNKHWA)

PESHAWAR: NWFP Minister for Sports and Culture Syed Aqil Shah has said that a full-fledged cultural directorate has been established and its offices would start functioning at Gor Gathri soon.



“Artistes, singers and literati will be encouraged by organising various activities and events to boost cultural image of the province,” he said while speaking as chief guest at a special live programme arranged at Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) hall in connection with its diamond jubilee celebrations.

The directorate would work as an art academy as well, he said, adding that Radio Peshawar had been playing crucial role in creating awareness among the masses on various issues since inception in British era.

The minister said the importance of radio could not be eclipsed despite the introduction of numerous fast tools of communication. Radio Peshawar was the second oldest station in the sub-continent, Aqil Shah said, adding that even the British rulers knew the strategic importance of this region.

He said terrorism could be combated through reviving cultural activities and his party had stood the test of time by laying down 700 precious lives besides 4000 ANP workers were rendered maimed.

The minister said Bacha Khan had struggled for bringing peace and prosperity to the region. He paid glowing tribute to the artistes, singers, intellectuals, poets and writers for their meritorious services to PBC, Peshawar.

Earlier, Muhammad Aslam Khan, a senior compare, highlighted the radio Peshawar’s history and said that it was founded on March 6, 1935 and great writer and politician Aslam Khattak was its first director.

Later, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Prof Khatir Ghaznavi, Abdullah Jan Maghmoom, Sajjad Haider, Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari, Samandar Khan Samandar, Ajmal Khattak and numerous other noted artistes and literati contributed to radio Peshawar but it also produced a large number of noted artistes, musicians and writers who played their due role in educating the masses through their powerful writings and voices.

Station director Sardar Ali in his remarks pointed out that PBC Peshawar was committed to quality and merit and trying to produce various programmes, features, plays and talk shows to provide the latest information to the listeners.

Former station director and noted writer Hamdullah Jan Bismil said the artistes, poets and playwrights who were affiliated with radio were the cream of the society.He said the Radio Peshawar had maintained its high standards and quality to date. He said the radio contributed a lot to masses to improve their outlook on life and society.

Dr Muhammad Azam Azam on the occasion said the people of Frontier had a social regard for radio because it always tried to promote their true value.Many known artistes, writers and intellectuals attended the two-hour long live special programme. Wisal Khial, Dr Irfan, Musarrat Momand and Noor Jehan performed at the event and sang some of the famous old songs used to be sung by Abdullah Jan Ustad, Muzafar Khan Ustad, Khial Muhammad, Kishwar Sultan, Mashooq Sultan, Mahjabeen Qazalbash and relayed from radio Peshawar. Muhammad Aslam Khan and Meena Shams compered the special programme in a befitting manner.