Karachi: Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh, Sharmila Faruqui has said it is mandatory to promote media organizations and journalists for the socio-economic development as Pakistani Society is engulfed with different social, cultural, civic and political crisis.
Impatience, violence, extremism, poverty and illiteracy etc are those major issues which are spoiling the roots of Pakistan. “Efforts are underway to ensure the implementation of labor laws, better working environment, job security, abolishment of contract system, security to life of journalists and provision of other genuine rights to them. We are also committed to uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” she said.
Sharmila Farooqui said that the government believes in freedom of media and has observed unprecedented tolerance even to the most unbecoming type of malicious campaign against the government by a certain section of media.
“We believe that press freedom is a guarantee to stable democracy and development of the country. We do not have any dispute with any section of media as the media rights have also been ensured in 18th Amendment approved by the government, making a history in the country politics,” she said while talking to media at her office. Sharmila said that a vibrant press influences and public opinion creates public pressure and helps resolve economic, social and political problems on priority basis. “The media persons need to establish a strong resolve to change the mindset of the society so as to develop religious and national harmony.
The newsmen should have to come forward with positive approach and demonstrate their abilities for the welfare of masses and the country.” She said that the PPP government under the dynamic leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari is committed to provide major benefits to media men.
“The new labor policy is the innovative example of this. The media men would also get major benefit from this new labor policy.” The advisor said that the PPP government views freedom of the press as a key component of democracy because it helps government in raising political, social and economic issues and resolve them in a better way.
“The field of media has expanded manifold so there is however need to produce such news which do not torment any individual or organization. The government is determined to provide incentives to the media organizations and its employees. All out efforts are being made to provide better environment to the media persons for covering news events and reports, she said.
Sharmila said that the anti-democracy forces are out to destabilize the PPP regime in a bid to gain their nefarious designs but it is determined to continue its five-year tenure amicably and added that the PPP government has come to power with heavy mandate of people, so no one could oust it so easily.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/26/2010
