All India Radio may soon have programmes in Balochi language

National public broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) is planning to start programmes in Balochi language.

This move comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns about the condition of people in Balochistan, in Pakistan.

While AIR has a service in Baluchi, which commenced in 1974, the broadcaster is now looking to augment the news bulletin component, PTI reported.

"The All India Radio (AIR) already has a service in Baluchi language which airs various programmes and also news. But now an enhanced news bulletin is being planned in Baluchi language," a senior official told PTI.

It is also being reported that the duration of the present news bulletins is 10 minutes, which could be increased.

Following the all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 August, the Centre decided to raise the issue of human rights violations in Balochistan province of Pakistan.

PM Modi also made an oblique reference to the human rights situation in Pakistan's Balochistan province apart from Gilgit and other areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

It was the first time disturbed areas in Pakistan's control were mentioned by any Indian Prime Minister during the Independence speech.

Earlier, DD News had also sent a team to Geneva to interview Brahumdagh Bugti, leader of the Baloch Republican Party.

The External Services Division (ESD) of All India Radio already broadcasts daily in 57 transmissions covering over 108 countries in 27 languages.

--With PTI inputs