Govt committed to well-being of neglected segments of society, women empowerment: Firdous

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan was committed to the well-being of neglected segments of the society.

It also had a resolve for women empowerment, besides providing opportunities to the youth to excel in different spheres, she said in a meeting here with Ambassador of European Union to Pakistan Mrs Androulla Kaminara.

Dr Firdous said freedom of speech was a key component of democracy and that was why the media enjoyed unprecedented freedom in Pakistan.

“The present government firmly believes in fundamental and constitutional right of freedom of expression, and will continue to facilitate the media and journalists in undertaking their professional obligations,” she added.

The SAPM said Pakistan attached immense value to its ties with the European Union as both shared and cherished the same democratic values and pluralism.

She emphasized the need to carry forward the current positive momentum by working to establish a sustained and long-term strategic partnership.

She said the present democratic dispensation had initiated well-conceived programme of bringing reforms and ensuring transparency in matters of governance.

She added,”We have introduced austerity measures and adhered to simplicity while also discouraging lavish style of rule as practiced in the past.”

The EU ambassador said Pakistan was a beautiful country with hospitable people. Its image abroad was not a true reflection of how great the country actually was, she added.

She also highlighted various EU initiatives and programmes in Pakistan, besides provision of assistance to earthquake victims.

Dr Firdous Ashiq highly praised the EU’s support.

Mrs Androulla Kaminara also briefed the special assistant regarding the Human Rights Reel Film Festival being held in various cities of Pakistan from December 1 to 10. She said the festival would showcase over 27 films with themes such as freedom of expression, gender equality, minority rights and climate change etc.

The SAPM extended facilitation to the EU envoy for holding the event and said the films were one of the vital media to communicate and address issues of human rights. She reiterated that Pakistan accorded immense importance to the human rights as they formed fundamental part of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Dr Firdous and the ambassador also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of media, besides by promoting exchange of visits by journalists and media persons with the view to learning from each other’s experiences and best practices in different fields.

The meeting was also attended by the Secretary Information and Director General, External Publicity Wing, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.