The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PERMA) said on Sunday that more than 100 seminaries were still operating "illegal" FM radio stations across the North West Frontier Province, stressing concern over the impact of these broadcasts on such a volatile part of the country. According to PERMA sources, the illegal radio stations were being run by madrassas, with those operated by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazlur Rehman)-led seminaries taking the lead. "At least 115 illegal FM radio stations are in operation all over the NWFP," sources revealed, while requesting anonymity.
They said that while most seminaries used FM radio broadcasts to impart Islamic teachings, many used them to spread sectarian hatred. This claim was substantiated by a Mingora cop who said the banned Tehrik-e-Nifaz Shariah Muhammadi was using FM stations to incite the public to rise up against the "un-Islamic" system. |