Pakistan desires peace in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that responsible media plays significant role in bridging gaps in society and subsequently paving way for strengthening of democracy.
Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of National Press Club’s office-bearers here at the PM Secretariat, the Prime Minister termed media as fourth pillar of the state which was also keeping an vigilant eye on the working of rest of three pillars of the state including judiciary, legislative and executive.
Gilani said media was also serving as a bridge amongst the three pillars of the state, and its role in nation building could not be denied. He further said that the government was aware of the problems of journalists and was giving due attention to resolve them.
The Prime Minister also announced a number of incentives for media persons including Rs. 140 million for giving relaxation to working journalists of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in making payment for the plots allotted to them in Rawalpindi.
Recalling the role played by media in Pakistan Movement, he mentioned that Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had founded the Daily Dawn and also referred to the veteran journalists role in creating awakening among the Muslims of sub-continent.
Talking about the sacrifices being rendered by media persons for the freedom of press, he named Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Nasim Hijazi, Majid Nizami, Mir Khalil ur Rehman, Shorish Kashmiri, Nisar Usmani and others who had spearheaded the movement of free press.
Gilani said the government was fulfilling its obligations towards the rights of press, adding there was no curb or restriction on media in the country and the journalists were performing professional duties with complete freedom and peace of mind.
He said he was also proud to state that there was not even a single political worker imprisoned at the moment. He said Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always believed that a free and independent media was essential for a budding and lasting democracy.
Gilani, however, asked the media to ensure objectivity and sanctity of the word and said the government considered media as it’s ‘sympathiser’ and welcomed constructive criticism as it sees it as a source of guidance.

Source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/23-Mar-2010/Pakistan-desires-peace-in-Afghanistan