Zahid, Anusha not resigning: Marriyum

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that federal ministers Zahid Hamid and Anusha Rehman had not resigned and all the news in this regard were baseless. She said that it was an issue of highly sensitive nature and attaching more names to it was a very irresponsible act, which should be avoided by everybody.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, she said that the government wanted to resolve the issue of the sit-in through reconciliation and peaceful negotiations to end the difficulties and agony of the people of the twin cities. She said that the unarmed operation to end the sit-in was undertaken to comply with the orders of the court. She said that the government would inform the court about its viewpoint on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Marriyum Aurangzeb said transmission of all news channels had been restored under the direction of the prime minister.

She said the transmission of the news channels was suspended after thorough deliberations in the best interest of the country to keep law and order situation under control. She said the transmission has been restored after an understanding on code of conduct for reporting.

The minister of state said we all are working together for security of our motherland. She said the government believes in freedom of expression. 

Earlier, addressing the cake-cutting ceremony on the occasion of the 53rd establishment day of PTV at the PTV Headquarters, Marriyum Aurangzeb said that privatisation of Pakistan Television was out of question adding that the privatisation was not a solution of the problems.

Marriyum said she will not do anything which will reflect the perception that any kind of privatisation of PTV is being done. She said no PTV employee will be sacked. She said the term of the current government will end in June 2018 and the government will make all possible efforts to restore the ideology of PTV.

She said the PTV has reached at a position where the other channels compete with PTV and PTV has not competition with any other channel. Marriyum said that there should be difference of opinion but one should have the courage to listen the opinion of opponent adding that this attitude will take the country and PTV forward. She said PTV should have to detach itself from politics and employees should have to work for PTV.