Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz Wednesday said the present government valued freedom of expression and it was striving to resolve the problems of journalists’ community.
Addressing a seminar on “freedom of press and resolution of the media crisis”, he said the media was an important stakeholder as it pointed out weaknesses of the government though constructive criticism.
He insisted that the media should also highlight the achievements of the government.
Shibli Faraz said it was the responsibility of the government to protect the lives and property of the media personnel. Unfortunately, the opposition had rejected a bill tabled by a PTI member in the Parliament, which was aimed at ensuring timely payment of salaries to the media persons.
However, the government was working on another bill for the security of working journalists, he added.
He said the PTI government was in favour of a mechanism under which the media workers should get their salaries in time. The government had paid outstanding dues of the media houses, he added. Shibli Faraz said the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists had a commendable history and had produced leaders like Minhaj Barna, whose untiring struggle for the rights of journalists is commendable. Such leaders were a beacon of light for the generations ahead, he added.
He also appreciated the media persons for performing their duties during the on-going corona pandemic bravely and effectively.
