KARACHI: Sindh Power Minister Shazia Marri has said that the democratic governments of Pakistan People’s Party have always promoted free press as well as the right of freedom of expression as guaranteed by the constitution of Pakistan to the people.

This she said while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Association of Press Photographers (PAPP) here at her office.

Syed Hamid Hussain and Akbar Baloch of the delegation offered thanks to Marri on her support to PAPP and apprised her that the grant-in-aid of Rs 50 million which they had received from the Sindh chief minister on the recommendation of Marri, has been kept in fixed deposit, out of which they are receiving around Rs 43,000 per month.

They said that such monthly income is being utilised by helping needy press photographers towards their health and educational issues.

Marri said that she was very happy to learn that the aid money given by Sindh chief minister to PAPP, was being utilised in such an ideal way and there could be no other way to utilise such type of funding.

She said that the present government can use this pattern to help other journalistic organisations through which they can solve their problems without looking to anybody.

Marri further said that in the past the journalists community remained shoulder to shoulder with democratic forces in all struggles against tyrants and undemocratic forces.

She said that the present democratic government not only appreciated the sacrifices of media people but it is determined to protect and promote freedom of the Press, which is fourth and very important pillar of the state.

She lauded the services of press photographers and PAPP members specially.
Source: Daily Times
Date:2/14/2011