Pakistan safer than 2013, says Pervaiz

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid had said that Pakistan today was much safer than in 2013 when the present democratic government came to power.
Speaking in the Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage here, he said that the Zarb-e-Azb and Karachi operations were launched to root out the scourge of terrorism from the country.
“Now a dignitary from Pakistan visits Washington, London, Tokyo, Berlin, Moscow etc or vice versa, a sentence appreciating Pakistan’s role and sacrifices in global efforts against terrorism and extremism forms part of the joint statement,” the minister added.
He said the world not only appreciated Pakistan but also acknowledged its gains and achievements in the war against terror, as a result of which both the world and Pakistan were safer today.
He said that the threat to the lives of journalists and media houses was linked to the issue of terrorism. However, as a result of the Zarb-e-Azb and Karachi operations, things were improving now, he added.
He said it was the government’s responsibility to provide protection and security to all its citizens, including journalists.The present government, he said, had kept the issue of terrorism on top of its agenda and the prime minister’s commitment to the issue was daily basis. About the provision of security to journalists, he said the prime minister had constituted a committee headed by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, which had held five meetings so far and recommended steps which were being implemented.
He said that a panic button system had also been installed in media houses. In case of any suspicious activity witnessed near their offices, media persons could push the button to call police.
Similarly, he said, an emergency telephone number had also been provided to journalists and media houses on which they could call in case of any emergency.
He said that the provincial governments had also been approached and they too had provided these facilities to journalists and media houses in their respective capitals. Same facilities were now being expanded to other cities also, he added.
Meanwhile, Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that Pakistan considers Germany a close friend and would like to further strengthen bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries.
Talking to Ms. Ina Lepel, Ambassador of Germany, he said that Pakistan was one of the most investor friendly countries and all its sectors were open for foreign investments, said a press release.
Pervaiz Rashid said that Pakistan had rendered huge sacrifices in the war against terrorism and was fully committed to work with the international community in its global efforts to root out the scourge of terrorism and extremism.
Ms. Ana Lepel discussed various matters particularly cooperation in the field of media, information and culture with the minister. The German ambassador also acknowledged the role and scarifies of Pakistan being a frontline state in the global war against terrorism.