Participants of CPNE meeting including Firdous Ashiq Awan, Dr Jabbar Khattak & others. (ENNS)
KARACHI (By Lala Hassan) Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has formed four members committee for the resolution of issues being faced by Editors here on Monday.
She, while addressing the members of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) at CPNE Secretariat Karachi said those days are gone while people were demanding to Pakistan for “Do More” as now they have the realization that talks for peace can be held on equality basis.
“Media has to play pivotal role in building national narrative while irresponsible media can damage it” adding she said government believes in an independent media for guidance and better governance.
Ms Awan further added that Pakistan was in serious economic crises when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into power and it was near to bankruptcy but Imran Khan with his wisdom and brave decisions brought country out of the crises.
Dr. Jabbar Khattak, Secretary General CPNE in his welcome speech said we believe in an independent but responsible media and, government must address issues like safety and self-sensor ship.
“We welcome government’s decision of paying outstanding amount of advertisement directly to Newspapers and the dues be released as soon as possible” he further added.
Dr. Jabbar Khattak appreciated the issuance of Health Cards to journalists and demanded to include CPNE members as well; while PIA and Railway Cards be re-instated and issued to all genuine journalists.
He demanded immediate disposal of applications pending with Press Registrar Islamabad as some Newspapers and Periodicals were being published in the names of deceased Publishers.
He regretted that Sindh and Balochistan were being neglected in regional quota of advertisements which should be reinstated and implemented accordingly.
“The Categories of Wage Board Award should be made on the basis of media outlet’s income” he suggested. Grants for News agencies should be reinstated.
Dr. Jabbar Khattak observed that government should look into over all issues of safety, security and censorship as to ensure free media and expression.
While responding to suggestions Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said four members committee should comprise of Opposition Leader in Sindh Assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi and Saima Khan, member of National Assembly Standing committee with two members nominated by CPNE.
She appreciated the idea of establishing CPNE Media Academy and assured her support for the cause. Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan observed that there was communication gap between employers and employees, resulting in issues that international media never face.
She told that Wage Board Award should be implemented soon and the issues being faced by print media to be resolved on priority basis through four members committee.
CPNE representatives Aamir Mehmood, Tahir Najmi, Anwar Sajidi, Sher Muhammad Khuhawar, Dr. Ayoub Shaikh and others shared their suggestions.
Opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi, PTI leader Saima Khan, Former Secretary General Aijaz ul-Haq, Finance Secretary Hamid Hussain Abidi, Information Secretary Abdul Rahman Mangrio, Joint Secretary Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Senior members Saeed Khawar, Maqsood Yousufi, Usman Arab Saati, Muhammad Tahir, Khalil Arif Baloch, Mian Tariq Javed, Muzaffar Ejaz, Muhammad Irfan, Mudassar Alam, Bashir Ahmed Memon, Mehmood Alam Khalid, Afzal Warsi, Rizwan Shah, Muhammad Sami Khan, Nasir Khattak, Syed Muhammad Raza Shah, Atif Sadiq Shaikh, Salman Qureshi, Suhbat Ali Buriro, Kashif Hussain, Lala Hassan, Munazza Seham, Farzana and others attended the CPNE event.
Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan was honored with CPNE shield and Sindh’s traditional gift Ajrak as well.
