Shahbaz stresses responsible journalism
Lahore, Pakistan: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said that media had played positive role for promoting democracy and strengthening democratic institutions.
Talking to senior media persons during a meeting here, he said that the role of media had become more important in the present situation, adding media had earlier played important role for national solidarity, unity, harmony and Ittehad Bain ul Muslimeen and expressed the hope to play the same role in future as well.
He said that Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions rendered sacrifice for a great cause, adding the respect and sanctity of Muharram-ul-Haram was binding upon us all.
He said that Punjab government had taken all necessary measures for maintaining law and order in the province.
However, the role of media was also of great importance for promoting sentiments of tolerance, brotherhood and patience in the society, he added.
Shahbaz Sharif said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the country was marching towards development and prosperity and national economy was improving.
He said that the foreign exchange reserves had reached about 21 billion dollars and the credit rating of Pakistan had also increased.
Shahbaz Sharif said that media had got freedom through its struggle, sacrifices and efforts, adding a responsible and independent media was essential for the guidance and accountability of the government. Her said that he always takes guidance from print and electronic media.
Referring to the problems being faced by the country, Shahbaz Sharif said that the country was facing big challenges of terrorism and energy crisis.
He said that political and military leadership and the entire nation was on one page in the war against terrorism, adding Pakistan Army had achieved glorious successes in the war against terrorism.
‘We all have to win the war of survival of Pakistan and make it a haven of peace,’ he added.
He said that the problems of corruption, unemployment and poverty would also have to be resolved for eliminated trends of extremism, adding effective measures have been taken under National Action Plan in the province and Punjab is the first province, which has constituted a Counter Terrorism Force.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the Counter Terrorism Force had been imparted training in a highly professional manner and this force was playing an important role for eliminating the menace of terrorism.
He said that federal and provincial governments were taking steps under National Action Plan for eliminating terrorism. He said that punishments had been made more stringent for making necessary amendments in anti-terrorism laws under National Action Plan in Punjab.
He said that special chapters had been included in educational syllabus for promoting attitudes of tolerance and patience. He said that misuse of loudspeaker, publication and distribution of literature based on religious hatred and wall-chalking had been strictly checked and these steps of Punjab government had yielded positive results.
Shehbaz Sharif said that an effective strategy had also been evolved for controlling religious hatred and sectarianism from the society.
He said that the war against terrorism would be won through collective efforts and unity of the nation, adding the economic package of billions of dollars by China was a great gift for Pakistan.
He said that not only Pakistan but the entire region would benefit from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (EPEC), adding the CPEC would be protected at every cost.
He said that Pak army, judiciary, government and the entire nation were united for protection of the CPEC. Mentioning efforts being made for elimination of energy crisis, Shehbaz Sharif said and added that under the leadership of Prime Minster Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, efforts were being made round the clock for removing darkness of load-shedding and
overcoming problem of energy shortage.
He said that the work had been started on 3,600 megawatt gas based energy projects in Punjab whereas work was also continuing speedily on 1,320 megawatt coal based power plant in Sahiwal.
He said that Punjab government had also completed 100 megawatt solar power plant at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur in a record period. Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah, Spokesman Punjab government Zaeem Hussain Qadri, IG Police Punjab, Secretary Home, Press Secretary to Chief Minister Punjab, Secretary Information, Secretary to Chief Minister Punjab and DGPR were also present on the occasion.
Source: APP
