GARDEZ - A private FM radio station called “Awoshtoon” officially started transmission on 20 November in Gardez city, the provincial capital of Paktya province.

Broadcasting manager of the Awoshtoon Radio 88.8 MHz, Ihsanullah Mahjoor, said the radio station would air programmes for 12 hours a day on religious affairs, education, health, society and culture, literacy and entertainment and will gradually increase its broadcast hours.

Its executive director Mohammad Daud Tapan said radio could play a very crucial role in the development of Afghanistan as it is the major source of information, news, communication, education and entertainment.

The 600-watt Awoshtoon radio station, the fourth privately-run local radio station in Paktya province, mainly broadcasts in Pashto language, with its reach in Gardez, Zurmat, Sayed Karam, Ahmad Aba districts among other parts of Paktya province, five districts of Paktika and some districts of Ghazni province, Mr. Mahjoor added.

Paktya Provincial Governor Juma Khan Hamdard expressed satisfaction over the inauguration of the new radio station and said the media sector has evolved in Paktya province since 2001.

While donating US$ 5,000 to the radio station, Mr. Hamdard called on national businessmen to extend their all possible support to the radio station.

This radio station was established by Gardez-based Awoshtoon Cultural Society, which works to preserve local cultures and to promote development.

By UNAMA Gardez