Government to make Pakistan a safe place for journalists
Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) government believes in the freedom of press and would provide safety cover to them so they could perform their duties in peaceful environment, said Punjab Minister for Cooperatives Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar while addressing the World Press Freedom Day seminar entitled “Media Freedom for a Better Future” in the premises of Union Council Hall Chanigoth on Saturday night which was organised by the Rural Media Network Pakistan in collaboration with National Press Union.
The provincial minister underlined the need for responsible journalism and paid rich tributes to Pak armed forces for their services which they were rendering in the defence of our mother land. He stated that media should play its key role in strengthening the national institutions and should foil the nefarious designs of our enemies.
The minister said the PML-N government came into power due to its transparent record during last five year rule of Shahbaz Sharif in the biggest province of the country .He lauded the positive role of media for highlighting the issues of downtrodden and building good image of democratic governance.
Malik Iqbal Channar told the media men hailing from Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan districts that the government would welcome the positive criticism so we have no intention to impose ban on media in future. He claimed that the PML-N government has provided huge amount for the uplift of the backward areas of South Punjab and record development projects were executed in Bahawalpur division during last five years. The minister cited the examples of the establishment of 400 bed district head quarter hospital in Bahawalpur besides big road projects etc.
Dr Professor Sajjad Paracha of Media Studies Islamia UniversityBahawalpur in his key note address said that independent media are essential for protecting and ensuring fundamental rights. He stated that media should promote more awareness among the masses regarding their rights and concomitant responsibilities. He highlighted the role of social, electronic and print media in Pakistan and termed Pakistan media as mature.
Source: Pakistan Today
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