KARACHI (April 04 2008): President, Vice-President and Secretary general of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Arif Nizami, Dr Jabbar Khattak and Khushnood Ali Khan, respectively have congratulated Sherry Rehman on assuming the portfolio of information in Federal cabinet.

In a letter, CPNE Secretary General Khushnood Ali Khan, congratulating Sherry Rehman, said that her appointment as the Federal Information Minister at this crucial juncture of the history of the country was great honour, as well as, big challenge.

He said: “Being related to journalism, you are well aware of the problems faced by the media in Pakistan. We believe that the pledges, made in the election manifestoes of all parties, including those in the coalition government, would be fulfilled.”

The CPNE hoped that Pakistan media would emerge as a leading example of media freedom in the region. Necessary amendments should be made in the present laws by accepting citizens’ right of the access to information. We hope that defamation law would also be repealed, he added.

It was also hoped that all hurdles be they legal, political, social and economic in the way of the press freedom would be removed soon. “All government representatives and parties, including those in the ruling alliance, are well aware that freedom of media is a must for industrial, economic, social, cultural and moral advancement; therefore, media should allowed to work freely and responsibly.” The CPNE said it would welcome positive negotiations with the Federal Ministry of Information, he added.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:4/4/2008