Govt to launch TV channel for parliamentary proceedings: Marriyum

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday said on the special directive of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the government was planning to launch a dedicated television channel for coverage of parliamentary proceedings.

The Parliament was the only platform to raise the issues of public through their representatives and launching a separate channel was need of the hour, she told a news channel. "Without a strong Parliament, no institution in the country can be strengthened," she remarked.

To a question, she said the PTI was habitual of making hue and cry on every issue and denigrating institutions by using abusive language against them. As per rules, she said, opposition held no rights for conducting press conferences at the Press Information Department (PID).

They could further ask for irrational demand tomorrow to sit on the chair of the speaker or the prime minister, she remarked. The opposition leader was honourable for everyone but the issues should be resolved with collective efforts, she added.

Separately, Marriyum said softer and positive aspects of the Pakistani society and the national ethos were needed to be promoted and disseminated across the globe. Chairing a meeting on 70th Independence Day celebrations, she said the image of any country emanated from culture, heritage and tourism.

She emphasised the need to showcase the multicultural mosaic of the Pakistani society and its geographical diversity at the international fora to present true picture of Pakistan to the international fraternity. The minister said promoting and building image of Pakistan was one of the prime responsibilities of Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, for which special funds were allocated by the government.