Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday said that artists were national asset who play a key role in promoting national culture and developing national identity.
She expressed these views in a meeting with film, stage and television artists here.
“Encouragement of creative thinking is indispensable for the growth of the society,” the minister remarked.
In the budget of the next fiscal year, Rs. 2 billion had been allocated for the film finance fund while Rs. 1 billion for the health insurance of artists, she said, adding that revival and development of the film industry was the “top priority of the government”.
The Minister said that promoting the positive image and true identity of Pakistan around the world was the need of the hour.
Films are an important means of highlighting a country’s culture, history, values, heritage and tourism sector, she added.
The Information Minister assured to solve the problems of artists and redress their grievances.
The artists expressed their gratitude to the minister for allocating a significant amount of money for the film finance fund and artists’ health insurance in the budget.
They paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the information minister for their efforts for the promotion of art and culture and the welfare of artists.
She said the previous government during its four years term also imposed restrictions to gag and suppress media for which the former prime minister was awarded with the name ‘Media Predator.’ She said the previous government also imposed sanctions on freedom of expression but they were failed to do so.
The information minister announced that a law regarding the security and safety of the journalists will be tabled in the Parliament next week.
She also announced that directives have been issued to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ensure implementation of minimum wages of Rs35000 for the media workers as announced in the budget for the next fiscal year.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said there is a dire need of ending intolerance, chaos and hatred in the society and media should play a proactive role in this connection.
Meanwhile, Marriyum Aurangzeb said coalition government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has fulfilled its promise of bringing crude oil from Russia.
In a tweet on Monday she said a ship carrying crude oil from Russia at a discounted price has reached Karachi.
The minister said this is first oil ship from Russia in the history of Pakistan. She said one year’s honest and dedicated hard work is paying off.
