Senator Irfan Siddiqui says that Pakistan’s property cannot be sold at used price
ISLAMABAD:
A senate committee on Monday approved a one-time ‘radio fee’ of Rs 500 on the first registration of different types of vehicles.
Chairing a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information on Monday, which was also attended by two other members, Senator Fauzia Arshad and Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Senator Irfan Siddiqui maintained that more than three million cars were registered annually and that they all use radio.
He proposed that if a radio fee of Rs 500 is collected at the time of vehicle registration, Radio Pakistan could earn Rs 15 billion annually.
After extensive deliberation, the commission unanimously approved its proposal.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that Radio Pakistan has the importance of national heritage and its buildings and land cannot be sold at throwaway prices, leased or leased.
He said that it was very unfortunate that the retired employees of Radio Pakistan were not getting their pensions on time.
“In these days of inflation, it is agonizing and unbearable that retired workers of old age can make it to the end of the month without pensions,” he said, adding that necessary steps should be taken to ensure timely payment of salaries, pensions and medical facilities to employees.
The committee directed the Director General of Radio Pakistan to come up with a comprehensive plan recommending solutions to the problems facing Radio Pakistan and to bring it out of the financial crisis.
The committee also ordered that the entry of private individuals into the radio facilities, the testing of their studies and the evaluation of the grounds be stopped immediately.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui said terrorism was on the rise and sensitive facilities should not be accessible to everyone.
The sub-committee also ordered that the ZA Bukhari Auditorium located at the headquarters of Radio Pakistan in Islamabad be returned to its original condition immediately.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui said the committee will not give up meeting Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the rights of Radio Pakistan and its employees.
The subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information is reviewing the use of Radio Pakistan assets.
During Monday’s meeting, Information Secretary Shahira Shaheen, Director General of Radio Pakistan and other officials also attended the meeting.
It should be noted that Radio Pakistan has been facing severe financial constraints for a long time due to mismanagement by successive governments.
Radio Pakistan is still considered the official radio channel of the Pakistani government worldwide.
He has also achieved many distinctions over the years.
The financial crisis facing the institution is indeed a matter of great concern for the country, especially for those living in rural areas who mostly depend on radio for information and entertainment.
The federal government is deliberating on a proposal to revive the dying industry.
