Pashto Times

The Enduring Importance of Radio: A Lifeline for Afghan Refugees in a Digital Divide Keywords : Radio importance, Afghan refugees, refugee repatriation, Pashto radio, digital divide, independent media, MW SW radio, radio for refugees, VOA Pashto, RFE closure, Pashto news, mobile-less refugees Introduction: The Silent Crisis of Disconnected Voices As Pakistan intensifies the repatriation of Afghan refugees , a silent humanitarian crisis brews under the surface— millions of marginalized Afghans , many born or raised in Pakistan, are now being uprooted from communities they’ve long called home. These refugees, due to years of marginalization , lack of education , and economic hardship , remain excluded from the modern digital ecosystem. Smartphones, internet access, and digital news platforms are luxuries they cannot afford. At a time when accurate, independent information is crucial , major broadcasters like Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe (RFE) have either shut dow...

 Closure Of VOA And Radio Free Europe, Azadi Radio and Mashaal Pashto Radio While the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to block funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that had been allocated by Congress, listeners of the station’s various branches and readers of its websites in different countries have raised their voices in support, praising its journalism. From Pakistan to Ukraine, from Afghanistan to Russia, and from Iran to Belarus, audiences in various regions have commended the courage, neutrality, and fact-based journalism of RFE/RL journalists, who report from the front lines of war, under oppressive political conditions, and in highly challenging media environments. Many have expressed concern over the potential shutdown of the station. A listener of RFE/RL’s Iranian service, known as Radio Farda, wrote on Telegram that he lives in a “small village in Iran” where there is “no satellite or reliable internet.” He added that in such circum...

 End Of VOA Today. From Director News Of VOA On his last Working Day. I am deeply saddened that for the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced. I learned this morning that virtually the entire staff of Voice of America—more than 1300 journalists, producers and support staff—has been placed on administrative leave today. So have I. VOA needs thoughtful reform, and we have made progress in that regard. But today’s action will leave Voice of America unable to carry out its vital mission. That mission is especially critical today, when America’s adversaries, like Iran, China, and Russia, are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States. VOA promotes freedom and democracy around the world by telling America’s story and by providing objective and balanced news and information, especially for those living under tyranny. Even if the agency survives in some form, the actions being taken today by the Administration ...

  Digital wallet app Google Wallet became available in Pakistan on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the tech giant. Google Wallet, Google's digital wallet application, has officially launched in Pakistan, enabling users to store payment cards, loyalty cards, digital keys, identification cards, transit passes, event tickets, and health passes on their devices. Features of Google Wallet: Payment Cards: Store credit and debit cards for seamless transactions. Loyalty Cards: Keep all your loyalty program cards in one place. Digital Keys: Manage digital keys, such as car keys, directly from your device. Identification Cards: Securely store digital versions of your ID cards. Transit Passes: Easily access and use transit passes for public transportation. Event Tickets: Store and access event tickets without hassle. Health Passes: Keep health-related passes and information securely. Availability: As of March 12, 2025, Google Wallet is available in 92 countrie...