WE have endured even a campaign of slander but we have as a matter of policy to let the people judge. Let them judge whether we have been just criticized or subjected to a campaign of slander ,, President Asif Ali Zardari

President’s address at 22nd APNS awards ceremony
Islamabad; April 16, 2012:

President Asif Ali Zardari Monday urged the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) to look into the issues of payment of salaries to the workers and journalists besides implementation of 8th wage board award and the setting up of the 9th wage board.
The President said that PPP and the present government recognize and respect this critical role of the media in promoting democracy as an independent media was a guarantor of human rights, freedoms and liberties. The record of this government in upholding media freedoms and tolerance for dissent speaks for itself.
He said this while addressing the 22nd APNS Award Ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr Monday night.
The President congratulated the APNS Award winners particularly the veteran journalists and the winners of Life Achievement Award and said that the Award was recognition of their achievements in different disciplines of journalism and newspaper industry. The President applauded the services and contributions of winners of Life Achievement Award as they have spent a lifetime in the service of the profession and the country with distinction.
The President appreciated the good work done by APNS to protect and promote the interests of the newspaper industry in Pakistan.
Commenting on government’s policy of reconciliation and tolerance, the President said “we have endured even a campaign of slander but we have as a matter of policy to let the people judge. Let them judge whether we have been just criticized or subjected to a campaign of slander.
He said that we have decided not to be provoked and will not be provoked in the future , adding that  We have not  taken any action against anyone and will  continue with the same.
The President said that we have extended the hand of friendship to all political forces, the media and all stake holders as well and feel satisfied that this policy of the government has started paying dividends.
 The spokesperson quoted the President as saying “our people are wise and
 Let us not underestimate their wisdom. They can differentiate between freedom of expression and an organized campaign of slander and that the People respond in their own ways. They respond by placing their trust or withdrawing it”.
 Recounting achievements of the party, the President said that the party was proud of its record in giving the country a consensus constitution as for the first time in 25 years after independence, it was given by the PPP government. He said that the successive dictatorships disfigured the Constitution but it was again PPP achievement that it restored the democratic constitution.
The President said that the undemocratic elements have targeted us and that they have tried to belittle our achievements and discredit the Party.
He said that at times they have been subjected to a campaign of character assassination and now the Prime Minister and his family members are the latest target of a smear campaign.
The spokesperson quoted the President as saying, “Yusuf Raza Gilani has become the target ever since he raised the slogan of Seraiki province and ever since he stood by me. Before that YRG was acceptable. But since he started supporting me and the Seraiki province he has become unacceptable”.
 The President said that the future of Pakistan is inextricably linked to continuation of democracy, adding that PPP is a Party of the masses and it has been proved time and again. He further said that whenever the people have been given the opportunity to speak they have spoken for the PPP.
He said that the Party firmly believe that people are the ultimate judge adding that we believe in the court of the people. No amount of hostility can distract us from the course chartered by our martyred leaders, the President said.
The President while recalling his meeting with the APNS last year and the demands raised therein expressed pleasure that the Press Council of Pakistan has since been set up and its Chairman has been appointed.
He said that it was now for the Press Council to move forward and move fast in consultation with all stake holders, adding that we look forward to the progress the Press council will be making in the months and years ahead.
Commenting on the 2nd demand of the APNS, the President expressed pleasure that the Ministry of Information has taken the ownership of the Freedom of Information Act from the Cabinet Division and said that there was consensus to repeal the old Ordinance of 2002, and bring in a new Act of the Parliament. He said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has prepared a draft Bill in consultation with all stake-holders, the media organizations, like APNS, CPNE SAFMA, PFUJ and APNEC; NGOs and Human Rights organizations as well as the provincial government.
 The President said that they believe in providing genuine access to information for the sake of transparency and accountability and called upon the Information Ministry to expedite finalization of the Bill and table it in the Parliament at the earliest.
 Commenting on PPP’s support to media freedoms in the country, the President said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister started the process of liberalization of the media in Pakistan, adding that before her, the newsprint quota was traditionally employed as a tool to force the media toe the line. However, he said that it was for the first time during Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s government that the system of newsprint quota was abolished.
Shaheed Mohtarma  was also a pioneer of cable news in Pakistan, he said and added that  Shaheed Mohtarma was the loudest voice against the measures aimed at curbing media freedoms and that we are proud of our records in this regard.
Commenting on achievements of the government, the President said that, besides consolidating democracy in the country, the present PPP-led coalition government, has also taken other far reaching measures including giving self-rule to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan,  resolving the issue of distribution of resources between the federation and the provinces through 7th NFC Award,  Restoring the 1973 constitution, reclaiming Swat and Malakand from the militants, fighting head on terrorists and extremists and  empowering the Parliament in helping frame security and foreign policies.
Referring to the current energy issues, the President said that the government was conscious to the problems that still need to be resolved including the energy problem.  The energy crisis is the result of the circular debt that was left behind by the previous government, the President said and added that during Shaheed Muhtarma’s second government Pakistan had surplus electricity and Pakistan could even export power to India.
He said that thoughtless reversal of the energy policy of Shaheed Muhtarma’s government led to the present day power crisis as investors were threatened, chased and hounded. He underlined the need to understand the problem in its proper context and expressed hope to overcome the problem soon. The President urged for joint efforts to tackle the energy issues and said that there was no short cut to a long term solution of this crisis. The President called upon all the political parties to develop consensus on economic policies, particularly policies in addressing the energy crisis.
The President welcomed constructive criticism by media and said that we have taken a number of measures for improving the conditions in media and will continue to take more such actions.
The President called upon all to work together to improve government-press relations in the larger interest of the country and the people.
DETAILS ISSUED BY SPOKESMAN OF PRESIDENT