Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take measures for the payment of advertisement arrears to the print and electronic media before Eid.
Chairing a meeting held to discuss the payment of dues to print and electronic media, the prime minister asked the Information Ministry to hold talks with the Pakistan Broadcasters’ Association (PBA) and the All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) on the subject.
The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Yousuf Baig Mirza, Punjab Minister for Information Syed Sumsam Ali Bukhari, Senator Faisal Javed and the secretary to PM, a PM Office statement said.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan informed the prime minister about the issues facing the media industry. The meeting also discussed in detail the matters related to the PBA and APNS. The prime minister directed Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan to personally monitor the process. He said the government fully believed in the constitutional and fundamental right to freedom of speech. The promotion of free and responsible journalism is inevitable for strengthening democracy, he added.
The prime minister said the government was fully aware of the problems associated with the media industry and their resolution was its priority. The prime minister also asked the Information Ministry to highlight the government’s reforms agenda through media.
Youth Programme: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday approved ‘Kamyab Jawan Programme’ – a youth empowerment initiative. The programme contains comprehensive welfare plans for county’s youth, a PM Media Office press release said.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar briefed the prime minister about the steps taken by the government regarding the programme and its benefits for youth, which included education, skill development and business opportunities. He said that the present government was taking all steps to empower the youth of the country, adding that the youth should make efforts to contribute to the development of the country.
Japanese ambassador: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that Pakistan was ready to welcome Japanese businesses in all the sectors of national economy. Talking to Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda, the PM highlighted the areas of investment including human resource development, information technology, tourism and agriculture to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. The Japanese ambassador discussed the areas of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Japan. The prime minister underscored that his government was determined to overcome the current economic challenges through peace and development-oriented, investment friendly and people centric strategies. The two sides expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Japan. The Japanese envoy assured his government’s full support to enhance bilateral relations with Pakistan.