RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the completion of Phase-II of the Saut-ul-Quran project, with a target to launch it by the first week of October, coinciding with the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal.

The minister chaired a meeting to review the progress of the Saut-ul-Quran Project on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by the Director General of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), Saeed Ahmed Shaikh, along with senior officials from the Planning Ministry and Radio Pakistan.

During the meeting, the planning minister emphasised the strategic importance of expanding the Saut-ul-Quran broadcast along the Lahore to Islamabad and Islamabad to Peshawar Motorways, as these routes are among the most frequently travelled in the country.

Prof Iqbal further directed that the Saut-ul-Quran channel should also broadcast Islamic content in multiple regional languages to ensure the widespread dissemination of authentic Islamic teachings, providing guidance on contemporary issues based on Islamic principles.

Prof Iqbal remarked, “We are living in an era of information warfare, and it is essential that we equip ourselves to disseminate the correct and authentic information. The Saut-ul-Quran Project is vital in spreading the true message of Islam, especially in today’s times.”

The Saut-ul-Quran FM Network project was initially conceived in 2015 under the vision of the Federal Government. Its aim is to establish a direct link between the holy Quran and listeners, providing a platform for learning the correct recitation of Quranic verses along with their Urdu translation. The project is being implemented in three phases:

The approved budget for the project stands at Rs212.777 million. The project currently covers 16 cities/sites, including KallarKahar (Chakwal), Faqeerabad (Attock), Larkana, Bhit Shah (Matiari), Landhi (Karachi), Khuzdar, Loralai, Turbat, Zhob, Yaru (Pishin), Chitral, Abbottabad, Kohat, Nowshera, Muzaffarabad, and Islamabad (Rawat). Out of the 15 transmitters delivered, five have been installed, and work is ongoing to complete the installation of the remaining transmitters.