FAZAL SHER

ISLAMABAD: Following the recommendations of intelligence agencies, the federal government has closed the office of Mashaal Radio airing its program from United States in Pashto as its programme were found against the interests of Pakistan.

According to a notification issued by Ministry of Interior, it has been reported by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) that Radio Mashaal is an offshoot of Radio Free Europe (RFE) located at Prague, Czech Republic, and its regional headquarters is at 01-A, 1st floor, FJ Plaza, Block 02, F-6 Markaz, Islamabad. As per the notification programs aired by Radio Mashaal are found against the interests of Pakistan and in line with hostile intelligence agencies’ agenda.

It said that main Mashaal Radio program includes: a) portraying Pakistan as a hub of terrorism and safe haven for different militant organizations; b) propagating Pakistan as a failed state in terms of providing security to its people, especially minorities and Pashtuns and; c) showing population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan is disenchanted with the state and distorting facts incite the target population against the state and its institutions.

In the light of recommendations of ISI, the competent authority has directed to close the office of Radio Mashaal immediately.