KARACHI, Dec 2 (APP): Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb Friday said that legislative process for the security and safety of journalists was underway and a bill to this effect would be tabled in the Parliament early next year in consultation with CPNE and other stakeholders.
Talking to the office-bearers and members of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) at the CPNE head-office here, she underlined the need for joint efforts for a democratic and stable Pakistan.
CPNE President Zia Shahid, Secretary General Ijaz-ul-Haq and other office-bearers and members were present in the meeting.
She said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) government believed in media freedom, but journalism with responsibility was need of the hour.
The minister said print media had played an important role for democracy and democratic norms.
Marriyum Aurangzeb informed that the Academy of Information Ministry was being activated for offering training to journalists at the government-level. The first model for the training of journalists was under preparation, she added.
She said that the government wanted to strengthen institutions, adding that the role of media was vital in the development of a civilised society.
The minister stressed that editorial committees needed to be activated in the electronic media. She said strengthening of press clubs across the country was among the government’s priorities.
Several programmes for women journalists were also under consideration, she added.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the operation launched by the present government against terrorism in the country, and the action to restore law and order in Karachi city, had produced positive results.
The minister said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s government is taking practical steps for development and prosperity of the country.
She said that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif rid the country of terrorism, built motorways, initiated energy projects, launched public transport projects, Pakistan’s first health insurance programme, and educational reforms programme.
Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasised that Pakistan needed Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif today.
About the development activities, she pointed out that work at the motorway from Karachi to Hyderabad had been started, adding that the phases of Hyderabad to Sukkur and Sukkur to Multan motorway would also be completed in the present government’s tenure.
The CPNE members praised Marriyum Aurangzeb for her priorities for the media, especially print media.
The minister said constructive recommendations pertaining to media freedom and for addressing problems faced by journalists would be welcomed and such recommendations and suggestions would also be considered in policy making.
