Sindh CM asked to establish media city for journalists

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

KARACHI: Journalism is an important and noble profession, and media plays an important role for developing liaison with people besides bringing the public problems to the notice of the government, while the present government of Pakistan People’s Party has always encouraged the positive measures for the development of independent media.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah stated this while talking to newly elected office-bearers of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), who met with him at the Chief Minister’s House here on Friday.

He congratulated the newly elected office-bearers of the APNS and said that there was a significant importance and prominence of print and electronic media during the present developed age, while the newspapers and TV channels were fully endeavouring to impart the knowledge to people.

Shah informed the delegation that he used to read newspapers early in the morning daily, and performed other works later. He added that he also read editorials and articles/write-ups to get latest information and knowledge about the situation and happenings.

Replying to a question, the chief minister said that a summary regarding issuance of advertisements of provincial government departments to electronic channel had been approved.

The APNS delegation appreciated the measures taken by the chief minister. The payments have been made to newspapers on account of advertisements. APNS delegation also thanked the chief minister for his cooperation and observed that it was general and unanimous view of press community that the services and efforts for resolving the issues of media and newspapers were prominent. It also extended invitation to the chief minister to attend a ‘Regional Press Convention’ to be held this month in Lahore, which will also be attended by prime minister as chief guest.

The delegation also urged Shah to establish the media city where journalists be provided plots at concession rates.

They also proposed to allocate one percent development budget for awareness of masses through print and electronic media. Besides, the quota of advertisements for regional newspapers be also fixed, the APNS delegation added.

They further said that Punjab government and newspaper owners of Punjab also admitted that issue of payments for newspapers had been resolved in a transparent way.

The delegation apprised that the APNS would present the chief minister as a symbol, and informed that the Sindh Information Department and the Press Information Department would not release advertisement through those agencies, which were not registered with the APNS.

The APNS also assured the chief minister that they would fully cooperate the government. The delegation comprised Mumtaz A Tahir, Syed Sarmad Ali, Qazi Asad Abid, Javed Mehar Shamsi, Syed Faseeh Iqbal and Jameel Akber Kazi. Special Assistant to Chief Minister Waqar Mehdi, Secretary Information Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah and Press Secretary to CM Allah Bachayo Memon were also present.