ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan issued special directives to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ensure the protection of rights of the print and electronic media workers.
Sources said PM Imran Khan took a major step by directing the information ministry to block issuance of government advertisement to those media houses not clearing salary dues of its workers.
The premier directed the ministry to put a condition for the issuance of government advertisement to only media houses that cleared all dues of its employees, sources added.
On January 23, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Firdous Ashiq Awan, had said the federal government is bringing a new media policy which will transform the journalism into a powerful institution.
Firdous Ashiq Awan, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, said journalism is now shaped into an institution that will have to empower other institutions of the country. She announced to bring a new media policy that will not be restricted to advertisements only.
She elaborated that the National Media Policy will secure the rights of the journalists and other media workers, whereas, the state will act as an information ministry to empower the journalism institution.
“Nations face a different kind of challenges but now the journey towards improvement has commenced. We are now envisaging a roadmap to balancing the rights and duties of the journalists. It is the government’s responsibility to secure journalists’ rights as they perform duties for the betterment of our society.”
Meanwhile, the federal cabinet members have postponed the appointment of new Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh and decided to hold consultation with the governor and chief minister.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has chaired a meeting of the federal cabinet to discuss 15-point agenda including the appointment of new IGP Sindh after the removal of the current police chief Dr Kaleem Imam.
During the meeting, the federal cabinet members belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and coalition partner Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) raised objections over the matter of IGP Sindh.
After the reservations emerged from the cabinet members, it was decided to further consult Sindh governor and chief minister for finalising the IGP appointment.
Meanwhile, sources claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned IG Sindh Dr Kaleem Imam after differences between the Sindh government and the police chief.
Dr Kaleem Imam will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Wednesday to inform him about his reservations.
The federal cabinet also reviewed the current political and economic situation of the country besides discussing the regulations for the issuance of arms licence. An amendment for Pakistan Arms Act was recommended and approved by the members, sources said.
Sources added an amendment has been approved for ending powers of the president and prime minister for establishing camp offices. The matter will be tabled in the parliament for promulgating legislation.
The recommendation for signing an agreement for the construction of 0.5 million houses by the federal government was also postponed.
Sources said the cabinet greenlighted the decisions of the Federal Cabinet Committee for Energy; appointment on the position of vice-chairman of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA); establishment of National Commission for Children Rights and regulation for writing concerned authority instead of the federal government.
The premier was also briefed over the progress report of the institutional reformations, sources added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to tackle profiteers and hoarders with iron hands who are responsible for bringing inflation in the country.
Briefing media on cabinet meeting Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said at the outset of the meeting the Prime Minister vowed to take every step to provide relief to the people who are facing the brunt of inflation.
Imran Khan also directed Ministry of National Food Security and related organizations take all out measures for supply of edible items to people. The Prime Minister said action will be taken against those responsible for recent flour crisis in the light of recommendations of
investigative report.
The Special Assistant said the cabinet discussed the issue of appointment of new IG Sindh and it was decided to appoint a person for this top slot with consultation. Prime Minister directed Sindh Governor to hold consultation with provincial chief minister regarding names put forth for the appointment of IG Sindh.
She said the cabinet endorsed the decisions of its previous meeting. It gave approval to decision of reduction in urea rates to provide relief to the farmers.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan on Tuesday while chairing a meeting to overlook the progress made on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) asked the attendants to complete the projects related to it on priority.
According to details, prime minister Imran Khan asked the attendants to speed up the system of advisory between the ministers and authorities tasked with the projects.
The prime minister said that China had helped Pakistan in its bad times and CPEC was a testament to the fact that China has always stood by Pakistan in its hour of need.
Imran Khan also said that after the completion and operation of the economic project, poverty alleviation will be effected in a very positive way. – NNI