Tarar promises practical steps for media workers’ welfare

KARACHI: Federal Information & Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar has expressed the firm resolve of the government to preferentially solve all issues of the media fraternity, including media houses, in the country.

He reaffirmed a commitment to this effect in his separate meetings with representatives and office-bearers of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors and Pakistan Broadcasters Association here on Friday.

Tarar expressed the federal government’s firm determination to take practical steps for ensuring well-being of the media workers and media houses. He had detailed discussions on the problems being faced by media workers and the newspaper industry.

The federal information said he was fully aware of the problems of media workers and journalists and would take practical measures to protect their rights. Besides, all-out efforts would be made to provide required facilities to the journalists, he added.

He assured the office-bearers of the media representatives’ bodies of his full cooperation in getting the pending dues of media houses cleared at the earliest possible time.

In this regard, concerted efforts were underway in line with the directives given by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he added.

Tarar said the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had approved a supplementary grant for the payment of media houses’ arrears and dues. He also highlighted the role being played by the Ministry of Information between the government, journalists and media houses.

He said health cards for medical treatment of journalists would be issued soon by the government. Nobody would be allowed to violate rights of journalists and media workers in the country, he remarked.

He also spoke on economic issues of the country and expressed the government’s strong commitment to address these issues in line with the vision of PM Shehbaz Sharif. He said work on digitisation of the Federal Board of Revenue had been initiated to ensure a documented economy in the country. All the concerned stakeholders would have to play their role for the stability of the economy, he noted.

The representatives of media organisations expressed their full support to the government for the initiatives aimed at economic stability and growth. They thanked the information minister for his support in the release of funds.