Zubair Qureshi
Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shibli Faraz has made it clear that on issues of national interest, particularly related with coronavirus the government will take on board all the federating units as well as the opposition parties so that a unified policy could be implemented across the country.
Addressing a maiden news conference in Islamabad on May Day (Friday) only a day after taking charge of the Ministry of Information, Shibli Faraz said the nation was faced with an unprecedented challenge of Covid-19 and a collective response was required to meet this challenge.
He said the government has given the concept of smart lockdown to protect the daily wagers and labourers from the impacts of Coronavirus.
Owing to the current economic situation, Pakistan cannot afford a complete lockdown, said Shibli Faraz adding there was greater realization including in Sindh of striking a balance in the lockdown and the economic activity. The new Information Minister said the PTI government had taken practical steps including that of Panagahs and Sehat cards for the well-being and protection of the workers.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has always spoken for the rights of the daily wagers and workers and has offered them two time daily meal along with monthly Rs12,000 cash assistance under Ehsaas cash assistance programme.
He pointed out that industries such as construction have also been allowed to resume activities to provide livelihood opportunities to the workers.
Responding to a question, the Information Minister said a mechanism was being evolved to ensure the salary protection of media workers.
When asked about the situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Information Minister said the government had effectively highlighted the lingering dispute at the world forums including the United Nations. Prime Minister Imran Khan had in his address to the Unites Nations highlighted the plight of the poor Kashmiri people who had waged an epic battled against the occupying Indian forces, said Mr Faraz.
About Parliament session, he said all the preliminary measures have been taken to convene sitting of the National Assembly and the Senate and the government was very much clear in this regard. Very soon we are going to hold parliamentary debate on coronavirus, however, he mentioned the fact that Speaker national Asad Qaiser was detected positive for the coronavirus and all preacuationary measure will be taken to conduct a successful meeting of the House.
Shibli Faraz expressed the commitment to transform the Information Ministry as per the modern requirements. He said our plan is to enhance its outreach to the protection of the national interests and image of the country. To a question, he said induction of Lt Gen (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa as Special Assistant to PM on Information & Broadcasting was in the light of his past experience as Director General of the ISPR. General Bajwa and I would work as a team to project soft, peace-loving image of Pakistan to the world, he said.
