ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Information Marriym Aurangzeb has said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government firmly believes in fundamental and constitutional right of freedom of expression and will continue to facilitate the growth of free and responsible media in the country. Talking to a delegation of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) that called on the minister here on Friday, the minister said that independent media was sine qua non of democracy and the government acknowledged the role of media as the watchdog of the society. She said that the government was making all possible efforts to create a congenial atmosphere for media persons so that they could perform their obligations in accordance with their professional ethos. Journalist safety and security bill is in the pipeline, which would prove instrumental to ensuring protection and safety of journalists, she added. A broad spectrum of issues, including wage board award, revision of advertisement rates, regional quota of advertisement, automation of Audit Bureau of Circulation and outstanding dues came under discussion. The delegation appreciated the role of the ministry in facilitating the media industry. The meeting was attended by Secretary Information and Broadcasting Division, Principal Information Officer Press Information Department, Director General Internal Publicity Wing, Umar Mujib Shami, Secretary General, APNS, Dr Tanvir A. Tahir, Executive Director, APNS, Rameeza Majid Nizami, Member APNS, Mumtaz A. Tahir, member, APNS, Khushnood Ali Khan, Member, APNS Mujeebur Rehman Shami and Hameed Haroon. Published in Daily Times, January 20th 2018.