Pakistan rendered record sacrifices against terrorism: Marriyum

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Pakistan rendered unprecedented sacrifices against terrorism and dealt with it in an unprecedentedly manner in the region.

Addressing South Asia Media Conference here on Saturday she said that today there is ninety two percent reduction in the terror-related incidents. The information minister said Pakistan is going through defining moments. We, for the first time are completing ten years of democracy without any interruption.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a project of mega infrastructure investment in different areas of the country. She emphasised the need for greater people-to-people contacts in the South Asian region for conflict resolution.

The conference is being attended by the delegates from the South Asian countries, including prominent media persons.

Meanwhile addressing the certificate distribution ceremony at the state run TV Academy in Islamabad on Saturday, Marriyum Aurangzeb said the media has a responsibility to set direction for the nation. The minister said she made serious efforts to bring improvements in affairs of the state run television.

Appreciating the improved standards at the TV academy, she said academy plays a very important role in building any institution. She said training capacity building and skill development are the core of any organisation.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the academy introduced and groomed hidden talent and gave identity to them. She said in the changing media landscape in the country the state run TV has to change its mindset and approach keeping in view the challenging environment.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said all state institutions should work within their ambit to take the country forward.

Addressing a ceremony after launching of a new website of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Islamabad, she said the campaign of maligning politicians will serve no purpose to anyone. She said principles and values of politics also need to be redefined for the progress of the country. The minister said for the first time a decade of democratic continuity will be completed which is a good omen for the country.

She said whether it is CPEC or international investment these are the benefits of democracy which have been understood by all segments of the society. Marriyum Aurangzeb said no one can be allowed to defame anyone without any concrete proof.

She said the NAB chairman made his allegation against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on false reports. She said NAB did not follow the due process of complaint verification and the PML-N will use all legal and constitutional means to counter these attempts. The minister said the government bravely faced the challenges it inherited and improved power supply position by adding more than 12000 MW of electricity into the national grid.

Earlier inaugurating the website, the information minister said this website will give all the information regarding government activities. She said all archives of the state run TV, PID and other organisations will be downloaded on this website to provide a wealth of information to the people. She said websites of all the Pakistani embassies will be linked with this portal. She said this gateway website will also feature PNCA, Lok Virsa and other cultural and heritage organisations in order to give orientation to foreigners visiting Pakistan as well as Pakistani youth.

She said the website will be equally beneficial for university or higher education students as this website is also linked with e libraries.