KHUJAND, March 27, 2012, Asia-Plus -- One more FM radio station will go on the air in northern Tajikistan soon.

The Khujand-based TV and radio company SM-1 has launched a new FM radio station, Payvand.

The SM-1 director general Akram Urunov told Asia-Plus today that preparatory works for launching the radio are under way.

“The radio station is currently broadcasting in testing regime and it is expected to go on the air on April 16,” said Urunov, “This date was not chosen accidentally.  The TV and radio company SM-1 was launched on April 16, 1998.”

According to him, 15-20 journalists will work for the radio, which will air 18 hours per day.  Radio Payvand will run news in Tajik and Russian alternately and play music.  “The radio may be picked up in Khujand and nearby districts,” Urunov noted.

Radio Payvand will bring the number of FM radio stations in Khujand to five.