By Tahir Khalil

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has made it clear that freedom of the media and strengthening of institutions remain at the core of policies of the government.

The Ministry of Information is the face of the government, she said adding the government, parliament and media are supposed to move together against challenges that lie ahead.

Talking to this correspondent after taking over the affairs of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting here on Friday, she said the Ministry is to make steady progress both on external and internal fronts. “We have to boost the image of Pakistan as a tolerant society at the global level,” she said adding “we would redouble the struggle to eliminate extremism from the society under the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto”.

The minister asked the media to work for strengthening of democratic institutions. She said her ministry is supposed to make a breakthrough on many fronts. Firdous Ashiq Awan said soon in consultation with representatives of the media and civil society she would finalise an action plan to resolve issues faced by the country.

Earlier after being sworn in as member of the federal cabinet, she called on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.
Source: The News
Date:2/12/2011