Free, responsible media key to strengthening democracy: CM

PESHAWAR: Terming media as an important pillar of state, Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Friday said that free and responsible press was essential for strengthening democracy in any country.

“It is through the media that public issues are highlighted, and steps are taken to resolve them. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government firmly believes in press freedom and welcomes constructive criticism from the media, with the aim of addressing shortcomings in light of such feedback,” he said while speaking at a ceremony where cheques of grant-in-aid were distributed to various press clubs.

Advisor to Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Secretary Information Arshad Khan, Director General of Information and Public Relations Muhammad Imran other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said that it was the government’s duty to promote every sector and provide equal opportunities to all segments of society. He said that a strong voice needs to be raised to fix the country’s economy and ensure that public funds are spent on the people.

Gandapur added that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was working on converting challenges into opportunities, as they are trustees of the public’s money, which will be spent solely on the people. He stressed the importance of accountability for this responsibility.

He also urged self-correction and the determination to learn from mistakes and avoid repeating them.The chief minister said that the Khyber Pakhtun- khwa government was generating funds to provide scholarships for students.

He said that collective efforts were necessary to ensure the development of the province and the country so that future generations inherit a stable and prosperous nation. Ali Amin Gandapur also assured that the issues facing the journalist community would be addressed. He said that press clubs would be established in all the districts of the province.