Afghanistan: Balkh Province Gets New Arzu TV, Radio

A new private television and radio network was inaugurated on the 21 March by the First Vice-President Ahmad Zia Masud, the Balkh Governor Gen. Mohammad Ata Nur.

Ismail Temor, the director of Arzu Radio and TV says: “This network has been established by the personal capital of Kamal Nabizada, one of the national traders in Mazar-e Sharif. Its preparation began a year ago and was inaugurated on the first day of the new year [1386].”

Arzu Television covers the whole Balkh province and some surrounding areas, but the director says coverage should expand in the first six months. The station operates between 7.00 to 10.00 p.m. each evening. According to Temor, the network is currently testing, but will broadcast local and foreign news, entertainment, cultural, political and educational programming.

Arzu Radio broadcasts on 91.8 MHz FM and is also running test transmissions. Ismail Temor says that the station is expected to eventually operate 24 hours per day.

The networks presently have a total of 25 employees.

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