THIS is with reference to the letter by Syed Badshah (Nov 6). It is heartening to note that the writer has given the credit to Radio Pakistan for being the only medium to provide opportunity to the people of Zhob for communicating with the world.

He has also very rightly appreciated Radio Pakistan’s positive contribution in the overall uplift of society, particularly in raising the literacy level and creating social awareness among the people of the area.

The PBC had established the radio station at Zhob with an indigenously fabricated 10 KW medium-wave transmitter in 1998, which covered the entire Zhob district and beyond. Since then, it has been working satisfactorily.

However, for quite some time this transmitter has been operating on reduced power due to unavailability of requisite spare parts and financial constraints.

The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation is doing its best to get funds from the government for procurement of spare parts in order to improve the quality of broadcasts of the Zhob station.

The replacement and upgradation of the Zhob transmitter is also included in the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation’s future plans to replace all the aging transmitters in various parts of the country with new transmitters based on modern digital technology.

Balochistan, being the largest province, area-wise, of the country and with a sparse and scattered population, is on the top priority of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation for upgrading and strengthening its network.

For this a high-powered transmitter is planned to be set up at Gwadar which will cover the whole of Balochistan and adjoining areas.

MUBASHER AHMAD MAJOKA Spokesman for PBC Islamabad