Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has announced a financial assistance package of 2.5 million rupees for the family of the late senior journalist Akhlaq Ahmad Bajwa, who passed away after a battle with cancer on August 14. The announcement was made during a visit to Bajwa’s residence on Aug 15, where the minister also paid tribute to the journalist’s contributions.
During a media briefing at the condolence visit, Minister Attaullah Tarar revealed that the 2.5 million rupees would be provided to the bereaved family in the form of a fixed deposit account. This assistance is in addition to the relief previously announced by Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Khan, who had pledged to provide a job to one of Bajwa’s sons.
Bajwa, a seasoned parliamentary reporter, had spent over 20 years in journalism, working with various newspapers and television channels. He was serving as the President of the Punjab Assembly Press Gallery Committee at the time of his death, a position he had held since 2022. The minister expressed deep admiration for Bajwa’s dedication to his profession, highlighting his steadfastness in challenging times, particularly during recent controversial proceedings in the Punjab Assembly.
Tarar also called on journalists to propose ways in which the government could honor Bajwa’s legacy, suggesting the possibility of naming a government building, a block at the Lahore Press Club, or another government project after the deceased journalist.
The minister used the occasion to address broader issues facing the media industry. He urged the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and other media bodies to enhance protection for media workers and implement the recently announced minimum wage policy, which sets the minimum salary at 37,000 rupees. He noted that the government had already provided relief to the media industry by removing two taxes in the latest fiscal budget and called on media houses to introduce life insurance for journalists, complementing the existing health insurance scheme.
In response to a question, Tarar mentioned his intention to discuss with Provincial Minister Azma Bukhari the potential grant for the Lahore Press Club. He also underscored the need for regulatory measures for social media, pointing out that while newspapers and news channels are subject to regulations, similar guidelines should be extended to social media platforms.
