KARACHI- Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Maher has said that the present government was Striving to resolve the problems of Press as it was the fourth pillar of the State and impediments In development of the nation was indicated by it.
He expressed these views at a Dinner hosted in honour of members and office-bearers of APNS on April 10, 2003.
He said that as the newspapers played important role in development of the country, the present government was solving the problems identified by the Press Clubs of the province. Financial aid for sick journalists has been initiated, he said and added that residential, plots would be allotted to Journalists of Hyderabad as well.
Newspapers’ dues are being paid by Information Department and the process will continue, he said. He asked owners and editors of newspapers to indicate and identify the problems confronting masses rather than following the policy of criticism for the s sake of criticism.
Talking about development works in the province he said efforts were being made to promote culture and tourism and Rs 100 million were allocated for Gorakh Hill project.
The provincial government is also paying help towards improving the situation in education and health sector besides working for promotion of information Technology and preservation of environment, he added. He informed that soon 125,000 acres land would be distributed among landless peasants and added that jobs of 706 doctors had been regularised.
Earlier, President of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) Arif Nizami, General Secretary Aslam Akbar Qazl and Mujibur Rehman Shami said that Sindh government had made headway towards solving problems of journalists and province has become a model for the country with regard to journalists’ privileges.
They said that change in advertisement policy by the government and increase in development activities was a good sign and would have far reaching effects.
APNS members and office-bearers were of the view that the country’s economy bas improved due to improvement in law and order situation in the province particularly Karachi.
They congratulated Chief Minister on ruling the coalition government in the province success-fully and assured that the relation between politicians and journalists would be further strengthened.
The dinner was also attended by Provincial Ministers Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi, Arif Mustafa Jatoi, Dr Saeeda Malik, Ifranullah Marwat, Chief Secretary K.B. Rind, IGP Sindh Syed Kamal Shah, Secretary Information Mehtab Akber Rashidi and other officers.
Source: The Nation
Date:4/12/2003
