Shahbaz demands interest-free loans for media houses

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President and National Assembly Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif has demanded that the media houses should be given interest-free loans so that they can pay employees salaries amid coronavirus economic fallout.

In a statement here Sunday, Shahbaz said that the State Bank should acknowledge the Media Industry as a legitimate sector worst hit by the coronavirus outbreak and its economic repercussions. The SBP must give special scheme for this sector like it did for others, he said. He pointed out that the role of awareness in the fight against the fatal pandemic was pivotal.

Shahbaz pointed out that the media organisations are already reeling from the curbs put in place by the PTI government and are on the brink of bankruptcy. He stressed that the government must pay all outstanding dues of all media organisations. He warned that media is the fourth pillar of the state which is on the verge of collapse. The industry is in desperate need for government support, he said. Thousands of media workers are being laid off who were sole breadwinners of their families, which is why the government needs to announce a relief package for the media industry with immediate effect, he stressed.

He said that media houses are shutting due to financial turmoil. Like all other sectors under this government, the media too has been in the worst crisis for the past 18 months.

Meanwhile, addressing a meeting with Lahore’s MPAs, MNAs and former Mayors at party’s Model Town Secretariat Sunday, Shahbaz Sharif directed party members and leadership to engage in philanthropic activities themselves and urge the affluent around to join in to help the sections of the society hit by the economic fallout of the new coronavirus.

He said there could be no bigger offering to God than to help His people in the time of desperate need. He discussed the overall situation in the country and particularly the provision of aid to the people of Punjab with the party office-holders. He said the people had been left at the mercy of their rapidly deteriorating circumstances and the opposition is fulfilling the responsibilities meant to be done by the government. The Punjab government has completely failed to fulfill its role in every way on every front, he said.

Shahbaz expressed concern over the rapidly increasing number of doctors and medical staff being infected with the deadly coronavirus. This exposes the government’s lies that they have provided medics with the protective gear PPE, he added. He told the meeting that on the directions of PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif, protective gear was being distributed by PML-N to doctors all across the country, AJ&K and GB. He urged them to contribute to this essential and crucial service to the frontline soldiers in the war against covid-19.

Shahbaz directed party office-bearers to keep distributing food and essential items to the people in their respective areas without any pomp and show. He said the meeting aimed to ask you to dedicate the entirety of your time and efforts to public welfare. He appreciated the service already being done by the party office-bearers and legislators and urged them to boost their efforts. He renewed his criticism of the method of distribution of financial aid among people which could lead to further spread of the virus because of large public gatherings.