APP staffers mark Independence Day with focus on unity, professional integrity

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):The employees of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) on Monday celebrated the country’s Independence Day, with Acting Managing Director Sabeen Usman Khattak stressing the need for unity, professional integrity and collective efforts to strengthen the state news agency.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sabeen Khattak said Independence Day was a reminder of the sacrifices made for the creation of Pakistan and called on employees to contribute towards the country’s progress through dedication and professional excellence.

“Independence is not only a celebration; it is also a responsibility to serve Pakistan with honesty, unity and commitment,” she said, at the event held here at the Information Service Academy.

She said media organisations had an important role in countering misinformation and disinformation and urged APP employees to ensure accuracy, credibility and professional ethics in their work.

“Our responsibility as a national news agency is to provide accurate and credible information and to play our part in countering misinformation and disinformation,” she said.

The Acting MD also highlighted measures taken for the welfare of APP employees, saying the Board of Directors had approved increases ranging from 60 to 65 per cent in the first phase, while the cumulative increase through the Board reached 112pc.

She said approval had also been given to raise the disability allowance to Rs10,000. Efforts are under way in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Finance to provide further financial relief to employees, she added.

She called for greater unity and inclusivity among employees, urging them to set aside differences and promote an environment based on mutual respect.

“APP is a family, and we must learn to respect one another, support our colleagues and move forward together,” she said.

She also reiterated the organisation’s commitment to providing equal opportunities to minority employees and said their religious occasions, including Christmas, were celebrated regularly at APP.

The Independence Day video messages from Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil, Principal Information Officer Raisa Adil and the Acting MD were shown during the ceremony.

National songs were performed by Nauman Adil, Naheed Taj and Abdul Rahman, while Qasim Malik presented a Naat.

Messages in regional languages were delivered by Kashif Rizvi in Urdu, Samina Chaudhry in Punjabi, Shaukat Chandio in Sindhi, Farhatullah Khattak and Dr Wahidullah Ayub in Pashto, Rakhshanda Taj in Balochi and Dr Sadia Kamal in Saraiki. The ceremony was moderated by Shumaila Noreen and Sanam Junejo.

Director News Shumaila Andleeb, Director Urdu News Abdul Jabbar Zekria, Director Video News Rabnawaz Bajwa, Information Officers including Adnan Bajwa and, Fareena Mughal and a large number of APP employees attended the event.

The celebrations concluded with Acting MD Sabeen Khattak cutting the Independence Day cake, flanked by APP staffers from all sections.