Power FM 99 Islamabad

What Power FM 99 Islamabad does

The Communicators (Pvt.) Ltd., operating as Power99 FM, is a Pakistan-based development communication organisation founded in 2002 and operating three PEMRA-licensed FM broadcast stations across Islamabad (99.0 MHz), Abbottabad, and Vehari. The organisation delivers Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) for out-of-school children aged 5-12, social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) campaigns across multiple verticals, journalism training, climate journalism, and humanitarian broadcast communications, primarily contracted by UN agencies, bilateral donors, governments, and INGOs. Its flagship BroadClass IRI programme has reached 226,583 children across 18 UNESCO districts and holds five international awards across three continents, with BBC, Deutsche Welle, and OECD endorsements.

The business model is dual-track: (1) donor-funded managed services, where Power99 acts as a contracted programme implementer for projects such as the UNESCO/AICS Radio My Best Friend Phase 2 (53,893 students monitored), DW Akademie Displacement & Dialogue (Afghan refugee journalist training 2024-2026), and the ICMPD Safe Migration Campaign (12,480 radio spots delivered at 100% of target); and (2) fee-for-service professional training, including the Junior Broadcasters Academy (Rs. 15,000 per student for a 4-week in-person programme at the Islamabad studio) and bespoke institutional training for NGOs, UN agencies, governments, and media organisations delivered inside the working PEMRA-licensed facility. The customer base is overwhelmingly institutional, with minimal consumer-facing revenue, and donor relationships are multi-year but competitively rebid.

The organisation is founder-led (Najib Ahmed, CEO; Fakhira Najib, Managing Director), SECP-registered, PEMRA-licensed since 2002, and operates with approximately 10 employees supported by an extended field monitoring and training network. Notable programme categories include child-led media (World Children's Day Radio Takeover, EdopiaCast, Bolti Kitab), climate journalism (#IndusCast), humanitarian communications spanning the 2005 earthquake, 2009 IDP crisis, 2010 and 2022 floods, and the COVID-19 emergency education response. Online distribution extends reach via power99.live, YouTube (@Powerradio99), and TuneIn.

Name

Power FM 99 Islamabad

Legal name

The Communicators (Pvt.) Ltd.

Website

https://power99.live

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Power99 FM is a Pakistan-based, PEMRA-licensed development communication broadcaster operating three FM stations (Islamabad, Abbottabad, Vehari) that delivers Interactive Radio Instruction, social behaviour change campaigns, journalism training, and humanitarian broadcasting on contract for UN agencies, bilateral donors, and INGOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Development Communication Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public/Nonprofit Children’s Educational Broadcasters (MPABAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Children’s News & Current Affairs Programming (MPABAKAK)

Keywords

• Interactive radio instruction
• Development communication broadcasting
• Broadcast journalism training
• Social behaviour change communication
• Humanitarian crisis broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Islamabad

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Broadcast & Education Training Services: Power99 generates revenue primarily through fee-for-service training programmes. The Junior Broadcasters Academy charges Rs. 15,000 per trainee (4-week in-person programme at Power99 FM Studios, Islamabad). Institutional training for NGOs, UN agencies, governments, and media organisations is custom-designed and quote-based. Revenue is project- and programme-based rather than recurring subscription.
2. Donor-Funded Development Communication Projects: Majority of operational funding is sourced from repeat institutional partnerships with UN agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, IOM), bilateral donors (U.S. Embassy Pakistan, AICS/Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, GDN), and INGOs (CARE International, Plan International). Projects are awarded on a competitive basis for education radio, SBCC campaigns, refugee journalism training, and climate communication — functioning as a contracted programme implementer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Power99 FM delivers Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) for out-of-school children across 18 UNESCO districts, donor-funded Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) campaigns in 5+ languages, child and youth media productions, journalism and refugee journalist training programmes (including AI in the newsroom), and humanitarian broadcast communication during crises such as earthquakes, IDP displacement, and floods. The organisation additionally runs a paid Junior Broadcasters Academy (4-week in-person training) and a School of Digital Broadcast, both delivered inside its PEMRA-licensed working broadcast stations in Islamabad, Abbottabad, and Vehari.

Product overview

Power FM 99 Islamabad (Power99 FM) operates as a development communication organization with a multi-platform approach combining broadcast radio, digital media, and training programmes. The core offering consists of Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) programmes including the flagship BroadClass — Listen to Learn and Radio My Best Friend, which deliver structured educational content to out-of-school children. Child and youth media products like World Children's Day Radio Takeover, EdopiaCast, and Junior Broadcasters Academy engage young people as producers. Development communication campaigns (Safe Migration, Human Rights, SRH, Climate) serve communities through SBCC initiatives. The organization's humanitarian services span earthquake, IDP, and flood response operations. Training products including the School of Digital Broadcast and Junior Broadcasters Academy provide hands-on broadcast education. All programming operates across PEMRA-licensed FM frequencies in Islamabad, Abbottabad, and Vehari, supported by digital platforms including podcasts and online streaming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior Broadcasters Academy Four-week in-person hands-on broadcast training for school students in Grades 5-8 (ages 10-14), delivered at Power99 FM Studios in Islamabad. Trainees receive studio sessions, mentorship, a live on-air broadcast segment on Power99 FM, a broadcast certificate, and a portfolio piece. Open enrollment at Rs. 15,000 per student, with 15 seats per intake.
• School of Digital Broadcast Multi-disciplinary training programme spanning radio journalism, podcasting, community reporting, and AI in the newsroom. Hands-on production is delivered inside a PEMRA-licensed national broadcaster with real studios, practitioners, and certificates. 500+ journalists and educators trained across 24 years. Includes the Junior Broadcasters Academy and other institutional offerings.
• BroadClass — Listen to Learn IRI Programme Pakistan's first and most awarded Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) programme, delivering structured audio lessons for out-of-school children aged 5-12 across 18 UNESCO districts. Curriculum covers literacy, numeracy, English, health, hygiene, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness, with teacher facilitation guides translated into Sindhi and regional languages. Contracted deliverable for UNESCO, Government of KP, and the U.S. Embassy Pakistan.
• Radio My Best Friend UNESCO/AICS-funded radio education programme implemented across every province of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan) plus Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory. 53,893 students monitored, 2,214+ field visits, 18 districts covered. Pakistan's most geographically comprehensive radio education programme.
• Displacement & Dialogue — Refugee Journalist Training DW Akademie-funded programme (2024-2026) training Afghan IDP and refugee journalists in KP and Balochistan. Covers mental health reporting, digital security, ethical journalism, and audio production. Trainees produce radio programmes, podcasts, and digital stories, and Radio Listeners Clubs are established in displacement camps. The only Pakistani organisation directly training Afghan IDP and refugee journalists.
• AI in the Newsroom Training programme on AI tools for broadcast journalists, launched as part of the 2025 digital journalism initiative for displaced community reporters. 88 journalistic pieces produced including radio programmes and podcasts. Equips community reporters with AI-assisted broadcast production skills.
• #IndusCast — Climate & Flood Response Multimedia Network Pakistan's first multimedia climate journalism network (January-March 2023). 36 journalists trained across radio stations; 45 radio programmes and podcasts produced; 13 Urdu and 5 regional language videos; 45 field reports from flood-affected districts. Established the Constructive Climate Journalists Network (CCJN), which remains active, with SDG alignment to SDG 13, 15, and 17.
• World Children's Day Radio Takeover Annual UNICEF partnership placing children aged 5-12 in full control of live radio as producers, hosts, programme managers, and station managers. Broadcast live from Power99 studios in Islamabad. Active partnership for 3 consecutive years: 2023, 2024, and 2025.
• Safe Migration Communication Campaign ICMPD/MRC-funded 151-day communication campaign delivering safe-migration messaging across 5 languages and 5 major radio networks. 12,480 spot airings at 100% delivery, and 71 RJ endorsements at 118.3% of target. Largest single-campaign audience reach in Power99's history.
• IRI Abbottabad Interactive Radio Instruction programme in Abbottabad funded by the U.S. Embassy Pakistan, reaching 11,000+ children, 300 teachers, and 140 government officials. Delivered through the Abbottabad FM station.
• IRI Haripur Interactive Radio Instruction programme in Haripur district implemented with ILM IDEAS / DAI / USAID. 227 teachers trained, 59 schools covered, 5M+ indirect listener reach.
• English for Madaris Government of KP / PRIED English-language programme for madrassa learners. Cross-sectarian across 5 major Islamic traditions, reaching 6,795 learners against a target of 1,400 (485% overdelivery against target).
• EdopiaCast Pakistan's first school-based child-led podcast where children research, script, record, and produce their own content. Engages children as active media producers within school environments.
• Two to Tango Deutsche Welle co-produced youth infotainment magazine programme for ages 11-17. Covers science, health, and social topics through music, games, quizzes, and characters Professor Abracadabra and Mano Billi. Aligned with the national curriculum and co-produced with DW.
• Institutional Broadcast Training (Bespoke) Bespoke training programmes for journalists, educators, and communicators from NGOs, UN agencies, governments, and media organisations. Delivered inside Power99's PEMRA-licensed working broadcaster with RNTC-certified trainers and DW Academia-affiliated certifications. Custom-designed on enquiry.

Quantifiable outcome

• 226,583 children directly monitored across IRI programmes (BroadClass & Radio My Best Friend)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DW AkademiecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DW Akademie-funded Displacement & Dialogue project (2024–2026) — the first Pakistani organisation training Afghan IDP and refugee journalists in KP and Balochistan. Also co-producer of Two to Tango youth infotainment programme. DW Academia-affiliated trainer certifications. AI in the Newsroom programme co-development.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Annual UNICEF World Children's Day Radio Takeover — children aged 5–12 as producers, hosts, programme managers, and station managers on live radio. Active partnership for 3 consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025). UNICEF provides global activation framework; Power99 provides broadcast platform, training, and production.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022UNESCO has partnered with Power99 on multiple education radio programmes. The Radio My Best Friend programme (UNESCO/AICS funded, 2022) covered 18 districts with 53,893 students monitored. BroadClass IRI is documented as a UNESCO LitBase case study. Ongoing collaboration includes IRI across 18 UNESCO districts and curriculum alignment with national education standards.
• IOM (International Organization for Migration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOM partnership covers Community Resilience & Social Cohesion programme across newly merged KP districts with themes of interfaith harmony, youth resilience, and economic reintegration of TDPs. Also collaborated on flood response and displacement communication.
• ICMPD / Migration Resource CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICMPD/MRC-funded Safe Migration Communication Campaign — 151-day campaign across 5 languages and 5 major radio networks. 12,480 spot airings at 100% delivery. 71 RJ endorsements at 118.3% of target. Largest single-campaign audience reach in Power99's history.
• CARE InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARE International partnership on human rights campaign — 40 programmes across 10 districts with 1M+ listener reach. 3-year partnership on social behaviour change communication. Additional SRH campaign producing 55 radio dramas, 55 expert discussions, and 110 PSAs in 5 languages.
• Plan InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlan International partnership on social behaviour change communication campaigns across multiple languages and radio networks in Pakistan.
• Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAICS co-funded UNESCO Phase 2 of Radio My Best Friend (2022) — Pakistan's most geographically comprehensive radio education programme across all provinces plus GB, AJK, and ICT. 53,893 students monitored, 18 districts covered.
• U.S. Embassy PakistanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. Embassy-funded IRI Abbottabad programme — 11,000+ children, 300 teachers, 140 government officials engaged.
• Global Development Network (GDN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDN First Prize 2016 — Most Innovative Development Project, awarded to BroadClass IRI in Lima, Peru. One of 5 international awards for the programme.
• Government of PakistancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Pakistan partnerships include: BroadClass IRI KP Expansion with Govt of KP; English for Madaris with Govt of KP/PRIED (6,795 learners, 485% overdelivery); National Curriculum Council consultation; NDMA flood response coordination.
• hundrEDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerhundrED Global Innovation recognition (Finland, 2018) for BroadClass IRI as one of the world's most impactful education innovations.
• OECDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOECD spotlighted BroadClass IRI as 'one of the most innovative education solutions deployed during COVID-19' (2020). Part of the COVID-19 emergency education response.
• TESOL International AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTESOL Mary Finocchiaro Award (Chicago, 2018) recognised BroadClass IRI's contribution to English language teaching and educational broadcasting.
• BBC GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBC Global event recognition (2017). BBC Minute aired globally describing BroadClass IRI as 'The programme which can help Pakistan achieve the Millennium Development Goals.'
• Deutsche Welle (DW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutsche Welle coverage described BroadClass IRI as 'A minor revolution in the field of education in Pakistan.' DW Akademie is the primary funder of the Displacement & Dialogue refugee journalist training programme. DW co-producer of Two to Tango youth programme.
• DAI / ILM IDEASminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAI/USAID-funded IRI Haripur programme — 227 teachers trained, 59 schools, 5M+ indirect listener reach.
• PEMRAcoreOthersPakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority — regulatory body that issues and oversees Power99's broadcast licence. Power99 is PEMRA-licensed across Islamabad, Abbottabad, and Vehari stations.
• UNDPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDP listed as a trusted partner on Power99's partner page. Extent of collaboration not detailed in available source material.
• Voice of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trusted media and development partner. Extent of collaboration not detailed in available source material.
• InternewsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trusted partner. Extent of collaboration not detailed in available source material.
• British CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trusted partner. Extent of collaboration not detailed in available source material.
• EdTech HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trusted partner. Extent of collaboration not detailed in available source material.
• SPARCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trusted partner. Extent of collaboration not detailed in available source material.
• ILOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trusted partner. Extent of collaboration not detailed in available source material.
• Quaid-i-Azam UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a university partner. CEO Najib Ahmed holds an M.Sc. in History from Quaid-i-Azam University.
• Fatima Jinnah Women UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a university partner. Extent of collaboration not detailed in available source material.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Welle: Germany's international public broadcaster, with a South Asia editorial presence and the funder of Power99's DW Akademie programmes. Comparable at the broad level as international public-service broadcasting but not a direct competitor; operates at much greater scale across multiple languages and geographies.
• Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation: Pakistan's state-owned national radio broadcaster operating multiple AM/FM stations. A BROAD_INCUMBENT rather than direct competitor: it offers overlapping broadcast capabilities but does not specialise in Power99's development communication, IRI, or youth-production niche.
• Voice of America: U.S. government-funded international broadcaster with Urdu-language and South Asia programming. Comparable as a broadcast-based international media outlet operating in Pakistan, but at much greater scale and as part of a broader multi-region portfolio.

Direct peers

• DAI: International development company implementing donor-funded education and governance programmes. Directly comparable given DAI co-implements the IRI Haripur programme with Power99—matching donor-funded development communication and education radio delivery at scale in Pakistan.
• DW Akademie: Deutsche Welle's media development arm and a Power99 programme partner. Functionally comparable: both deliver donor-funded journalism training, capacity-building for media organisations, and development communication programming in low-access geographies.
• Free Press Unlimited: Dutch nonprofit supporting independent journalism and press freedom worldwide. Closely comparable to Power99 as a development communication and donor-funded media organisation focused on training journalists and producing programming in underserved regions.
• Search for Common Ground: International conflict-transformation NGO that uses media and broadcasting as core tools for peacebuilding. Comparable to Power99 in applying radio-based programming for behaviour change and community resilience in displacement and conflict-affected contexts.
• Internews: Global nonprofit that supports independent media and information access in developing countries. Directly comparable to Power99: both are donor-funded organisations that build media capacity, deliver development communication campaigns, and train journalists in fragile contexts.
• IREX: International nonprofit focused on education, media development, and youth civic engagement. Comparable to Power99's media-training and inclusive-journalism programming in displacement-affected communities, particularly across the Middle East and South Asia.
• Sesame Workshop: Educational media nonprofit with a long-running Pakistan programme (Sesame Street Pakistan). Closely comparable to Power99 in producing educational media for underserved children in Pakistan, including literacy, numeracy, and life-skills content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Powerradio99
• Facebookfacebook.com/powerradio99
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/powerfm99islamabad

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Power FM 99 Islamabad