LAHORE: Media is the fourth pillar of the state and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is will soon clear outstanding dues of the news organisations, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Thursday.

“Our government is committed to the freedom of expression and has full support to the media industry,” the premier said in a meeting with DailyPakistan’s Chief Editor Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami and TV anchor Kamran Shahid at PM House in Islamabad.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Media Affairs Yousaf Baig Mirza and PM’s spokesperson Iftikhar Durrani were also present on the occasion.

Khan assured the journalists that any proposal to help the media industry in their ease of doing business would be given serious consideration by the government.

He also directed the Punjab government to allocate funds for the renovation of historical Badshahi Mosque, which is situated in the heart of Lahore.

The Mughal era building is said to be constructed between 1671 and 1673 under the supervision of Fida’i Khan Koka, who was Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s brother-in-law and the governor of Lahore.

After only two years of construction, the mosque was opened in 1673. Badshahi Mosque’s splendor is influenced by the Jamia Mosque of Delhi which was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

Daily Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday said that the government believed in freedom of expression and considered critical eye of independent and vibrant media vital for keeping the government on right track.

Talking to Federal Information Minister Ch Fawad Hussain who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House Prime Minister reposed full confidence in Information Minister and hoped that he would swiftly translate government’s policy of providing complete freedom to media outlets into reality.

Information Minister Ch Fawad Hussain briefed the Prime Minister on the functioning of his ministry and the steps his ministry had taken for facilitating media outlets in dispensation of their professional duties.

Information Minister said that they were also working on plan to reduce the undue interference of his ministry in the working of state-owned media outlets—Pakistan Television Corporation and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation. He gave a detailed overview of the steps being taken to transform the stat-run media organisations — Pakistan Television Corporation and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation- more efficient and effective.

He also informed the Prime Minister about other issues pertaining to his ministry and the government-media relations to get the positive image of the country projected in effective manner.

The issue of government advertisement to media organisations also came under discussion and Ch Fawad Hussain informed the premier that they were evolving a transparent policy on advertisement distribution wherein no one could get out of turn benefit and things would be handled in transparent and judicious manner.

Prime Minister also wanted to see more freedom to the state-own media entities and asked the Federal Information Minister to put a mechanism in place so that both PTV and PBC could play their role in more effective fashion.

Prime Minister also wanted the Information Ministry to play a leading role in all matters related to media. The Prime Minister said that government will provide every possible support and resources in projecting Pakistan’s image abroad as well as highlighting Government’s agenda of reforms and change before the public.

The Prime Minister said that the present government fully believed in freedom of expression and the critical role of an independent, vibrant and responsible media towards socio-economic development of the country. He reiterated that the government will facilitate media in every possible manner towards discharge of its professional obligations.

Secretary Information Shafqat Jalil was also present during the meeting. Meanwhile taking to MNAs belonging to Dera Ghazi Khan, Prime Minister Imran Khan said people of southern Punjab expressed confidence in the ideology of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in 2018 elections, and the region will become a developed part of the country.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is going to be changed for all times to come. He said our objective is to make Pakistan a real welfare state, uplifting the downtrodden segment of the society.

He said Pakistan is rich in natural resources, but unfortunately, they have not been exploited optimally. The meeting reviewed progress in administrative autonomy in southern Punjab.

It was decided that Public Affairs Wing at Prime Minister Office will be made operational to immediately solve pubic problems and address issues related to development projects in National Assembly constituencies.

It was also decided that committee comprising members of the National Assembly will be formed at divisional level, which will ensure solution of people’s problems with the consultation of local leadership and provincial government.

The MNA who called on the Prime Minister included Shireen Mazari, Zartaj Gul, Muhammad Shabbir Ali Qureshi, Makhdoom Basit Bukhari and Aamir Talal Gopang.

The Nation 

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The Prime Minister also contacted Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan over police torture on journalists.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar also condemned the police high-handedness. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad also contacted the Prime minister and Interior Minister in this regard.

Business Recorder