Historic steps taken for journalists’ welfare, claims Azma

LAHORE:Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has taken historic steps for the welfare of journalists and continued to undertake every possible effort for the betterment of the journalistic community.

She said that she considered the protection of media workers' rights and being their voice as her responsibility and mission. She made these remarks at a dinner hosted in honour of journalists and columnists who received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz from the federal government. The event was attended by Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani, Public Relations DG Ghulam Saghir Shahid and other guests.

The information minister said that providing accurate and authentic information to the public is the true responsibility of a journalist. The journalists, who engaged in fact-based reporting are always the standard-bearers of truth, and the awards they received are a true acknowledgement of their hard work and professional abilities.

She strongly criticised those elements disguised as journalists who promote lies, provocation, and misinformation through YouTube and social media, stating that such individuals do not deserve to be called journalists.

Azma further mentioned that following special directives from CM Maryam Nawaz, concrete and historic steps are being taken to resolve journalists' issues, ensure their protection, and provide them with the necessary facilities.

The federal government has honoured renowned journalists Salman Ghani, Muzammil Suhrawardi, Nasrullah Malik, Kamran Shahid, and Muneeb Farooq with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Paying tribute to them, Azma said that this honour is a matter of pride not only for the award winners but for the entire journalistic community.