Government’s commitment to continue working for the development of the media President Zardari

Islamabad, 09 March, 2012

A delegation comprising of members of Press Council of Pakistan today called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The delegation included Raja Mohammad Shafqat Khan Abbasi, Chairman Press Council of Pakistan, Ms. Aayesha Ikram, Director Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Mr. Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami, Chief Editor Daily Pakistan Lahore, Mr. Majid Nizami, Chief Editor Nawa-e-Waqt Group of Publications, Mr. Wamiq A. Zuberi, Editor Daily Business Recorder, Mr. Siddiq Baloch, Chief Editor Daily Balochistan Express Quetta, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Mughal, Chief Editor Frontier Post Karachi, Mr. Bachal Leghari, Editor Nawa-e-Waqt  Karachi, Mr. Iqbal Jafri, Editor Nawa-e-Waqt Islamabad, Mr. Nasir Zaidi, Editor, Daily The News Islamabad, Mrs. Yasmeen Rehman, MNA and senior officials of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar were also present during the meeting.

Raja Mohammad Shafqat Khan Abbasi, Chairman Press Council of Pakistan, while briefing the President said that the Press Council was established in 2002 with the purpose to safeguard freedom of the press and implement the Ethical Code of Practice. He said that the credit for activating the dormant Council, appointing the new Chairman and issuance of notification of all the PCP members goes to the present democratic government which reflects its sincerity and commitment towards freedom as well as development of media in the country.

Raja Mohammad Shafqat said that Press Council was the only forum where the grievances of the public against the press and complaints of press against any other institution were being resolved. The Chairman said that Press Council was the only forum where all the stakeholders i.e. APNS, CPNE, PFUJ and public representatives sit under one roof.

He also highlighted various issues facing the Press Council including the financial issues and setting up of Council’s regional offices.

The President reiterated the Government’s commitment to continue working for the development of the media in the country and upholding freedom of information. He said that the democratically elected Government considers media as an important instrument for the strengthening of democracy and would continue to facilitate media in its professional pursuits.

The President also advised the Government to look into the issues of the Press Council for their early redressal.

The participants during their interaction with the President highlighted the importance of the Press Council and the need to further strengthen it by establishing council’s offices in the provinces.   

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