KARACHI- Universal Broadcasting has initiated work to set up a private television station, likely to start functioning by end of 2001.

“We are working on satellite system along with developing all the infrastructure and manpower for setting up a television station. It will be in operation in a year”, Chairman, Saifullah Paracha said at a press conference here.

The broadcasting firm at present has been tuning a religious programme Marhaba Ramazan on PTV- 1 and in New York along with its second version in Dubai. Another programme ‘Rohsni’ is on air form London.

These programmes in Urdu languages of the broadcast would be later expanded to other main languages of the world like English and French, Pracha said.

The initiative was given a practical shape by launching of Welcome Ramazan programme on PTV World during last Ramazan he said. The broadcasting would be paying Rs 10 million to Pakistan Television against 300 minutes airtime for 30 episodes of Marhaba Ramazan programme, he said.

Saifullah said we are trying to produce research-based Islamic programmes to contain the misconception of Europe about Islam. We will tell them the reality what Islam is because the Islamic programmes produced even by Arab countries lack research and development, he maintained adding in Europe majority of people were showing interest in Islam and the quality and research-based programmes would induce them to accept Islam.

The broadcasting has moved in for drama productions to highlight socioeconomic problems of the society and two of these would be telecast in January next.

Our plays will talk about socioeconomic issues instead of stereotype stories and hence the viewers would be having some Islamic teachings he said.
Source: The Nation
Date:12/10/2000