Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Fides Service) - Thanks to the radio, a means of communication and widely listened to by a lot of young Pakistanis, it is possible to train new leaders of civil society, with moderate and democratic ideas, based on respect for universal values and rights that will be an antidote to religious fundamentalism or ideological extremism which creeps in, alarmingly, in Pakistani society: this is what was said at a seminar held in recent days in Lahore, sponsored by Radio Veritas in Urdu and the Center of Catholic Social Communications "Rabita Manzil ". The Director of Radio Veritas and of the Centre, Fr. John Shakir Nadeem, told Fides that "the radio is a valuable source of information, news, training ideas, guidance and education. The radio has played a vital role in Pakistan's history. " Hence all the moderate forces in society have a duty to engage and fully use all the potentiality of this instrument. Fr. Nadeem explains to Fides that "there are large areas of the country where there are no other means of communication, if not the radio. The radio is a key tool in shaping public opinion and is still the most powerful and effective way to speak to the consciences and minds of Pakistanis, especially the young, because 65% of Pakistani society is composed of people under 25 years of age, large users and listeners of the radio ".
In Pakistan a radio network "Radio Partnership for Peace" has recently been created, which covers more than 100 radio stations in Pakistan - the first initiative of its kind in Asia – joined together for the goals expressed in the seminar. The Church of Pakistan has always promoted, through Radio Veritas in Urdu, programs based on human and Christian values, with the aim to build peace, social harmony and inter-religious in the country. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 05/26/2011)
