The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, popularly called Radio Pakistan came into being as Pakistan Broadcasting Service on 14 August 1947 when Pakistan emerged on the world map as a new country.

The independence of Pakistan was announced through Radio Pakistan on Aug 13, 1947 at 11:59 pm in Urdu, followed by a similar announcement in English, Pushto and other languages. The Pakistani radio presenter Mustafa Ali Hamdani (1909–1980) made the Urdu announcement in the following words:

The English translation of this announcement is as follows:

Greetings!

Pakistan Broadcasting Service. We are speaking from Lahore. The night between the thirteen and fourteen of August, year forty-seven. It is twelve o’clock. Dawn of Freedom.

Once again, as the midnight strikes, lets unite and work hard…