No criminal will be allowed to enter media industry: Nisar

PBA delegation discusses media issues with interior and finance ministers

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that no criminal person will be allowed to own and run a media house in the country.

The minister was talking to a high-powered delegation of senior office-bearers of Pakistan Broadcasters Association which called on him on Monday. The delegation was headed by PBA Chairman Mian Aamer Mehmood and comprising Sultan Lakhani, Mir Ibrahim Rahman, Shakeel Masud Hussain and Tahir A Khan.

Matter related to media industry, role of media towards safeguarding national and security interests, issues of national importance and the Axact case was discussed during the meeting.

Talking to the delegation, the interior minister reiterated his call that the media must play its role and utilise its immense power to further national interests, safeguard our social and religious values and prove itself as a bulwark against the tide of extremism, fanaticism and the mayhem which is often created in the name of freedom of expression.

Appreciating the important role that the media has played, especially towards rejection of terrorists’ narrative and promoting unity and oneness of the nation in the fight against militancy, the minister said that he is holding a meeting with all representative bodies of the media including APNS, CPNE and PBA on Tuesday for evolving a consensus policy to safeguard national security interests of Pakistan.

Matter of national importance, including progress in various cases that have adversely affected the image of Pakistan abroad, also came under discussion. The delegation also raised its concerns regarding the progress into the Axact scandal and some media channels being funded through dubious, untaxed and unverified money from abroad.

The minister observed that no comprise would be made towards anything that affect the image of the country or violates laws of the land. He said that efforts are underway to ensure that independent media progress and prospers in an open and transparent manner, and the government should make every effort to support and facilitate the progress of an independent media that serves as a strength not only of the nation but also of democracy and rule of law in the country.

Talking about national narrative against extremism and militant mindset, the interior minister observed that a national narrative has been prepared to counter extremism and urged the media to play its role towards projecting our national narrative.

He said that he is looking forward to his meeting with media organisations on Tuesday (today) in order to have an open and frank discussion on all relevant issues in order to have optimum conducive working environment for independent media to flourish and prosper.

The PBA delegation also held a meeting with Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar where the minister assured the team that the government would give due consideration to proposal for facilitation of electronic and print media for the upcoming budget.

The delegation discussed with the minister budget proposals regarding taxation on electronic media and apprised him of certain issues that needed redressal.

The finance minister said the proposals would be accorded due consideration in the upcoming budget and all possible facilitation would be extended to electronic media which along with print media, was playing a key role as a bridge between the government and the masses. 

He said all the media, especially the electronic media, has the important task at hand to highlight government’s efforts for economic development and people’s well being. He said the government fully utilises the feedback that the media provides on its measures for upkeep of different segments of the society. This in turn helps in reshaping its policies in conformity with the people’s aspirations. 

The government would continue to follow its policy of promoting the freedom of media in letter and spirit in the country as enshrined in the Constitution.

The visiting delegation thanked the minister for a patient hearing of their suggestions despite his hectic schedule and also lauded the government’s drive for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment generation. The delegation hoped that the best would come up for the people and the media in the upcoming budget.