PTV, CMG urged to deepen cooperation as friendship marks 75 years

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (APP): Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Managing Director of Pakistan Television Corporation Ashfaq Ahmad Khalil has stressed the need to expand media cooperation between Pakistan Television (PTV) and China Media Group (CMG), including the production of joint documentaries, to further strengthen bilateral friendship and bring the people of the two countries closer.

Speaking on CGTN Urdu’s programme “Top View”, he said the 75-year friendship between Pakistan and China was a model relationship for the world, with both state-run and private media playing an important role in strengthening bilateral ties.

He said the Memoranda of understanding and close institutional links between the two countries should be translated into practical cooperation through joint initiatives in various fields, including documentary production, said an official press release issued by CMG on Friday.

Highlighting the role of the media in promoting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Ashfaq Ahmad Khalil said print, electronic and digital media had made significant contributions to informing the public about the importance, progress and benefits of the flagship project.

He stressed that coordinated cooperation between PTV and CMG could make strategic communication more effective and further promote mutual understanding between the two countries.

Referring to the growing influence of digital media, he said the timely provision of authentic information, identification of fake news and prevention of misinformation had become increasingly important.

He added that the Digital Communication Department of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was playing a significant role in countering false and misleading information and ensuring the dissemination of accurate facts to the public.

Discussing cultural ties, the federal secretary said exchanges of cultural heritage and traditions could help bring the people of Pakistan and China closer.

He also referred to Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar’s proposal to invite Chinese social media influencers to Pakistan to familiarise them with the country’s culture, language and cuisine.

Such exchanges, he said, could promote cultural awareness, mutual understanding and closer people-to-people contacts.

Ashfaq Ahmad Khalil said Pakistan-China relations were founded on mutual trust and cooperation. China had consistently supported Pakistan during difficult times, while Pakistan had always supported China at the diplomatic level.

Expressing confidence in the future of bilateral ties, he said expanding media cooperation would further strengthen the longstanding friendship, mutual understanding and people-to-people links between the two countries.