On January 28, the Punjab Assembly hosted an oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected office-bearers of the Punjab Assembly Parliamentary Reporters Press Gallery. The event was presided over by the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, who administered the oath to the officials.
The ceremony featured key participants, including Arshad Ansari, the newly elected President of the Lahore Press Club, along with bureau chiefs and senior journalists. Those sworn in included President Khawaja Naseer, Secretary Abbas Haider Naqvi, Joint Secretary Syed Farzand Ali, and Assistant Secretary Wasif Mahmood.
In his address, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan congratulated the new officials and emphasised the Press Gallery’s crucial role within the legislative framework of the Punjab Assembly. He reassured journalists of efforts to address their issues and enhance their institutional role.
Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan emphasised the importance of politics as a responsible field in which the national interest should prevail. He highlighted ongoing development initiatives led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, noting improvements in rural development, law and order, and public services.
The Speaker also acknowledged the role of newspapers in political education and awareness. He stated his intention to introduce legislation, if necessary, to protect the rights of Press Gallery members and possibly present a bill on Private Members’ Day.
Addressing international and local challenges, he noted the transformative developments in Punjab despite geopolitical tensions. He praised the introduction of fact-checking practices in journalism as a positive step towards countering misinformation in the age of artificial intelligence.
On agricultural issues, the Speaker recognised the hardships faced by farmers, particularly regarding wheat prices, and expressed hope for effective government solutions.
He concluded by acknowledging the federal government’s efforts to navigate the country through significant crises and underscored the need for careful policy review to protect public interests.
