Lahore (Fides Service) - Radio Veritas Asia Urdu section is an essential channel of witness for Catholics in Pakistan and a precious means of spreading the Gospel over the air. Radio Veritas is a point of reference for the people of Pakistan, Catholics and Muslims.
Recently Radio Veritas staff had a meeting with representatives of listeners and guests from Radio Veritas central offices in the Philippines. The meeting, chaired by Bishop Lawrence Saldhana, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Pakistan, was the 7th National Conference. The title “The culture of forgiveness” is the underlying theme chosen for programmes in 2006. Staff welcomed suggestions from listeners with regard to programmes of formation, information, entertainment. The theme intends to stress the need to foster reconciliation and social peace with respect for different identities and religions.
Radio Veritas Urdu section was opened on 14 August 1987 under the patronage of the Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan. Most of the programmes are produced in Radio Veritas studios in Lahore, at Rabita Manzil audio Centre directed by Fr. John Shakir Nadeem.
Local staff prepare programmes which are then sent to Manila where another team works in collaboration with the team in Lahore, guaranteeing programmes morning, afternoon and evening . In 2004 programmes focused on women, young people, children the elderly and the family. 2005 è programmes aimed to foster a “Culture of Life”, with programmes to promote respect for life from conception to natural end. From January to September 2005 Pakistan radio station prepared and sent 235 programmes to Manila.
Radio Veritas works to foster harmony, brotherhood and respect among the different religious communities in keeping with fundamental guidelines approved by the Catholic Bishops of Pakistan. Many listeners are non Christians, or people over the border in India. Every year the Radio holds a meeting with listeners to offer them an opportunity to meet the staff and offer suggestions and ideas to make the radio service more efficient.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2005 righe 27 parole 281)