On National Newspaper Readership Day, observed annually on September 25, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with other provincial leaders, underscored the critical role of newspapers in fostering informed communities and countering misinformation.

In his statement issued by the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), President Zardari reaffirmed the role of the press as the Fourth Estate in protecting citizens’ rights. He pointed to the increasing challenges posed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and the proliferation of fake news, which he said necessitated credible journalism and responsible editorial oversight more than ever.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reminisced about the press’s significant contributions during the freedom movement and its ongoing role in promoting democracy and transparency post-independence. He emphasised the importance of professional journalism in an era of fake and misleading information and encouraged the youth to cultivate a habit of reading newspapers to broaden their knowledge and understanding of current affairs.

From the provincial leadership, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti stressed the importance of reliable information for his province’s geographically diverse communities, while Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah noted the press’s role in reflecting the cultural diversity and addressing local issues in Sindh. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Sohail Afridi discussed the importance of contextual understanding provided by newspapers in today’s fast-moving news environment.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also issued a statement praising the historical and ongoing contributions of print journalism to political awareness and public enlightenment. She shared her personal connection with newspaper reading and emphasised its relevance despite the rise of digital media.

The leaders lauded the APNS’s efforts in promoting newspaper readership and acknowledged the essential contributions of journalists, editors, and publishers in maintaining the flow of credible and well-informed news.

Additionally, Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, marked the occasion with a message highlighting the enduring relevance of newspapers as a reliable source of authentic news and insightful analysis. He pointed out the challenges posed by the spread of fake news in the digital era and reaffirmed the importance of newspapers in fostering a well-informed and enlightened society.