Minister hopes Pemra will implement media code

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad informed the National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday that a code of conduct for media had been prepared and hoped that new chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Electronic Regulartory Authority (Pemra) would take steps for its implementation.

He was winding up discussion on the situation arising out of a motion regarding non-existence of code of conduct for media. Khalida Mansoor, a member from the ruling party, moved the motion.

Shaikh Aftab said the Prime Minister had constituted a committee involving representatives of all the stakeholders. He said code of conduct prepared by the committee was presented in the Supreme Court.

He said now the apex court had approved the code conduct and it is the responsibility of Pemra to implement it.The Minister of State said media was playing its role for creating awareness among the public, however, he said there is a lot of room for improvements.

Khalid Mansoor, Naeema Kishwar, Saqlain Bokhari, Shafqat Baloch and others also took part in discussion. They said that a way out in form a code of conduct in consultation with all the stakeholders, in the form of a code of conduct should be found. They were of the view that there should be constructive and positive criticism in talk shows on electronic media.

“ There should be no intentional attempt to humiliate politicians and the host should also refrain from imposing any agenda on participants of the talk shows,” they said. Meanwhile, the Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch said that it was the responsibility of the state to provide protection to every citizens of the country.

Giving a statement on floor of the house after meeting journalists staged walkout from the press gallery against attacks on media houses, he said the government was taking every possible step for this purpose within its resources. He said as a result of operation Zarb-e-Azb the law and order situation is improving in the country.