Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi has said that media is free today as the journalists are brave and patriotic. We have always supported them. He said this while speaking at the dinner hosted in honour of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) on Wednesday. Those present included CPNE President Arif Nizami, Zia Shahid, Imtenan Shahid, Ayaz Khan, Rahmat Ali Razi, Ejazul Haq, Kazim Khan, Irshad Ahmad Arif, Tanveer Shaukat, Yousaf Nizami, Babar Nizami, Zulfiqar Ahmed Rahat, Ahmed Shafiq, Ali Ahmad Dhillon, Syed Intezar Hussain Zanjani, Muazzam Fakhar, Awais Rauf, Abid Alim, Aslam Mian, Malik Liaquat Ali, Bashir Ahmad, Naushad Roy, Bashir Ahmed Khan, Zubair Mahmood, Waqas Tariq Farooq, Muhammad Akmal Chohan, Imtiaz Ahmad Roohani, Arshad Khan Rehani and MA Rauf among others. PA Speaker Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi said that the media is the fourth pillar of the state and guarantors of the progress of the country, from freedom movement until today in combating the challenges. Particularly, the newspapers have played a key role throughout. The media has not only showed the path of reformation to the rulers, but has also created awareness among the people about their rights and played the role of a bridge between the people and those in power. “We have been in politics for quite a long time and we enjoy a deep relationship with journalists, although many organisations are working for promotion of journalism, however CPNE is the only representative body of the editors of the newspapers which includes prominent and senior journalists of the country who have always through every period rendered best services through their professional journalism,” he said adding that we believe that the media of Pakistan, particularly print media is doing highly responsible journalism highlighting point of reformation therein. Pervaiz Elahi said that we are also aware about the struggle of journalists. “Journalism is very important for the progress of the country. Today, the media of Pakistan is free. The main reason for this is a strong and important role of the CPNE,” he said. Elahi said that journalists of Pakistan are brave and patriotic who snub every voice of the enemy by giving a befitting response. During the war on terror also, the newspapers had done responsible journalism. “I salute the long struggle and efforts of the CPNE and assure them that we will remain shoulder to shoulder with the CPNE for freedom of press and welfare and well-being of journalists and all sort of our support will be with them,” he said, adding that because of wrong policies of former finance minister Ishaq Dar and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the country is facing bad days now. He said the media should guide the government in the right direction. If the rulers’ intention is good then the country makes progress. The PM is working with good thinking, intention and true spirit. The entire nation should support Imran Khan. He said Imran will fulfill all promises made with them. CPNE President Arif Nizami and Zia Shahid also spoke on the occasion. Published in Daily Times, September 20th 2018.