ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday took credit by `again` announcing 50 per cent increase in the salaries of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) employees, who, unlike other government department workers, had not been getting the revised pay.

Addressing the launching ceremony of a Seraiki news bulletin from Radio Pakistan, the prime minister said the finance ministry had been directed to make necessary arrangements to disburse the arrears with effect from July 1. It may be mentioned here that for the past many weeks, the employees of Radio Pakistan had been protesting for not getting the 50 per cent increase in salaries which the government announced in June last year.

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira had met the protesting PBC employees and assured them that they would get the raise. He had also said Rs7,000 minimum pay would be implemented in the PBC.

The prime minister, on his first visit to the headquarters of Radio Pakistan, inaugurated the Seraiki bulletin by reading out news himself.

He said the media was playing a vital role in the political, social and economic progress of the country. He acknowledged the role of Radio Pakistan in making people “more determined, patriotic and resolute in the wake of several national challenges”. He highlighted the role of Radio Pakistan in giving timely information to the people during the worst floods in Pakistan`s history, in the campaign against terrorism in Swat and Waziristan and starting emergency radio station – FM 93 – to deal with the situation of Attaabad Lake in Gilgit.

He noted that many eminent personalities of literature, poetry and culture started their artistic journey from Radio Pakistan.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/9/2011