Daily Times

KARACHI: State Minister for Information Maryam Aurangzeb has said the print media is contributing in the society positively as compared to the electronic media.

She also said the government believed in freedom of expression and the institution of Press Council will be proactive.

Addressing the “Meet the Editors” organised by Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE), she stressed that media should play a positive role in elimination of terrorism from the society and highlight the positive impacts of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

She said that steps are being taken to ensure security and safety of journalists and legislation has been finalised for this purpose. She hoped that it would be passed from parliament in January or February 2017. She also lauded the struggle of print media for democracy in the country.

The minister said, “We all have to play role to strengthen the constitutional institutions because by strengthen such institutions democracy will be flourished and stabilized.”

She stressed the need of making editorial committee of media organisation proactive. She said that a cyber wing would be inaugurated at Press Information Department next week to make optimum use of information technology and evolve trend of social media.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, CPNE President Zia Shahid said CPNE would support democratic institutions and freedom of expression.

The CPNE secretary general demanded that the government implement a code of conduct for all the media institutions. “It is need of the hour that as a matter of responsible journalism, a journalist or media house may keep the source secret,” he said.

He demanded that the government increase budget for print media and magazines should also be given adverts.

On the occasion, CPNE Projects and Programmes Committee Chairman Dr Jabar Khattak handed over a media safety manual to the minister.

Principal Information Officer Rao Tahseen Ali Khan, CPNE Vice President Aamir Mehmood, Secretary Finance Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Ikram Sehgal, Ilyas Shakir, Kazi Asad Abid, Zafar Abbas, Abdul Khalique, Maqsood Yousufi, Ahmed Iqbal, Sajjad Akbar, Javed Shamsi, Tahir Najmi, Faisal Malik, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Tahir, Muzzfar Ejaz, Younas Mehar, Salman Quraishi, Zahida Abbasi, Fozia Shaheen and Bilqees Jehan were present.

Separately, the minister said the government would play its role in reviving the film industry.

She was addressing the inaugural ceremony of a two-day national production and entertainment trade conference. She announced to revive Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan and sought suggestions from experienced showbiz personalities in this regard.

She stressed upon artists to come forward and play their role in promoting and projecting soft image of Pakistan through their production. She said that the Information Ministry will play the role of bridge between government and entertainment industry. She said soon the national artists’ convention will be convened in Islamabad and artists fund will be established to facilitate producers and artists.

Meanwhile, Maryam said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has played a vital role in war on terror and he is working in line with the ‘vision’ of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“We should support at all level the steps taken by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. He is working as per vision of PM. He has played a significant role in war against terrorism; she said this while talking to reporters after visiting the Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum.

She went on to say every political party supported the government in Karachi operation, adding that the government consulted all parties on the National Action Plan.