Imran, Pervaiz assure APNS, CPNE of resolving newspapers’ problems

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan held out an assurance to the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) Friday of early solution to the issues the newspapers confronted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The APNS and CPNE office-bearers, including Sarmad Ali and Rameeza Majid Nizami, met the PTI chairman here at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House and apprised him of the problems and issues newspapers were facing in the province, where the PTI leads the coalition government.

In the presence of Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nasir Khan Durrani, the visitors also highlighted the issue of security at the offices of newspapers in the province and sought provision of adequate security.

Durrani gave briefing to the audience with special reference to the new police (reforms) order, recently enacted. On this occasion, Imran wished similar reforms in the police would have been introduced across Pakistan.

The PTI chairman assured the APNS and CPNE delegations that their issues would be resolved on priority basis.  APP adds: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Friday said media should play its vital role in further strengthening and nurturing democratic values and norms.

Addressing members of Executive Committee of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) he said respect for rule of law and the Constitution should be held supreme. He said media should identify those amongst its ranks who preach subverting the Constitution and defaming the parliamentary democracy. He said We would urge newspapers to reflect balance in providing space and coverage. He said transparency and fairness in governance is hallmark of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government. Principles of transparency should be adopted by all including the media industry, he added.

The minister said the democratic government believes in freedom of expression and would never accept any bar on free speech and people's right to hold opinions. He said the government is committed to facilitate media as it considers that democracy and independence of media go hand in hand. He said media owners should also ensure that rights of working journalists are protected, adding that their issues of salary should be resolved at earliest.

Pervaiz assured the members of APNS that the ministry will continue its efforts for the betterment of media industry and work with them for the achievement of free and responsible media. “The government would seriously consider the demands of APNS related to the issues of advertisements,” he added.