MONITORING (SW) – ‘Paktia Ghag’ or Voice of Paktia became the latest radio station to shut operations in Afghanistan amid prevailing difficult financial and political circumstances.
Office bearers of this local radio station in Gardez, Paktia province, say that after 17 years of operations, the broadcasting was stopped today due to economic problems. Zabihullah Ayoubi, head of the VoP told Salam Watandar that he could no longer broadcast due to economic problems.
Ayoubi added that the private radio station has been broadcasting in Gardez for about 17 years, and that there were also two print media outlets affiliated with the radio station, which have now been shut down due to economic problems.
“We have raised the economic problems of our radio several times, but unfortunately, no institution cooperated with us.”
On the other hand, Khaleqyar Ahmadzai, Paktia’s director of information and culture, told Salam Watandar that VoP had stopped broadcasting due to economic problems, and that they were trying to solve the radio’s economic problems so that the media could resume operations.
At present, in addition to the state-owned RTA, there are currently five private radios in the province.
Previously, Ravan Radio, Iman Ghag Radio and Oshtoon Radio were also among the radios that have stopped their activities due to financial problems.
However, with the rise of the Islamic Emirate and the fall of the previous government, a number of media outlets in a number of provinces have been forced to suspend their broadcasts due to economic problems and new restrictions imposed by the Islamic Emirate.
At the same time, and according to reports, with the cessation of local media coverage in a number of provinces of the country, a large number of journalists and media workers have lost their jobs and turned to other jobs to make a living.
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