Firdous urges journalists to suggest ways for improvement

Sialkot—Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has stressed that journalists have the incumbent obligation to suggest ways to usher improvement in the society. Addressing the members of Sialkot Press Club (SPC), after inaugurating an IT lab and a newly renovated building of the press club here, Information Minister stressed that for the sake of improvement the journalists must forge unity and seek accountability of political leaders and institutions. On the occasion, the minister announced that a modern Iqbal Library would be set up at Sialkot Press Club, adding that an additional block would be constructed within the premises of the club.

She assured that sufficient funds would be generated for setting up the proposed library and work on this project would be undertaken in near future. Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan congratulated the newly elected office bears of Sialkot Electronic Media Association (SEMA) and announced a grant of Rs five lakh for the association.

Talking to media,Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan regretted that the political leadership of Sialkot had done very little to propagate and promote the message of Allam Iqbal among the masses, especially the younger generation. In this context, Dr. Firdous urged upon the journalist community of Sialkot to promote and disseminate the philosophy of Allama Iqbal.

Information Minister reiterated that its prime duty of journalists to highlight the problems of all sections of society, including minorities and women, and suggest measures to set things in the right direction. Dr Firdous appreciated that elections of Sialkot Press Club and Sialkot Electronic Media Association were held in accordance with democratic norms. Chairman SPC (Sialkot Press Club) Hamayun Iqbal Malik thanked the Federal Minister for Information for providing grant of Rs 25 lakh for the repair and renovation work of Sialkot Press Club building.

The newly elected President of Sialkot Electronic Media Association (SEMA) Khawaja Rehan Naseem presented the address of welcome and said that members of the association (SEMA) would play instrumental role in exposing problems of the masses. Earlier,the Information Minister administrated oath to the newly elected members SEMA. Earlier, talking to media men here after prize distribution ceremony of a school, Dr Firdous said the PPP-led government was taking various solid and practical steps to resolve the promlems of the people and providing them all basic facilities of life at their doorsteps to raise the living standard.

She urged the masses to reject the politicians, who changed their loyalties in the past for personal gains. The Information Minister said Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani had taken a big step to hold an energy conference of all the provinces, which would prove to be a milestone to resolve the energy crisis. Dr Firdous said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had always honoured the mandate of other political parties and adopted the policy of reconciliation to end confrontation. The PPP-led government has strengthened democracy and the democratic system by taking all political parties on board on all national issues, she added.

Earlier, addressing the annual prize distribution ceremony of Subhan Foundation School, the minister said the Federal Government would allocate huge amount in the budget for the welfare of the people and developing the education sector. She also underlined the need to formulate a uniform educational policy for providing equal opportunities to all.