PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday launched the Prime Minister’s Health Program for Journalists, Media Workers, Artists and Technical resources and the Pakistan Code, a digital repository of federal laws, a mobile app and website. Under the health insurance card programme, journalists, media workers, artists and technical resources will be able to get world-class health facilities free of charge in 1,200 hospitals across the country with an annual corporate health insurance worth Rs1.5 million.
Journalists, media workers and artists devote their lives to professional pursuits but they face immense difficulties during trying times because of their financial vulnerabilities. No doubt, the media industry has witnessed tremendous growth in Pakistan but terms of employment of media-persons are not enviable because of economic recession and the plight of the workers of small media houses deserves particular attention because of the issues involved. In this backdrop, the government deserves appreciation for launching this highly beneficial scheme for journalists and workers which is something like a parting gift for them at the end of the tenure of the present government. The Prime Minister has rightly pointed out that it is for the first time in the history of the country, the government has launched such a facility for journalists and media workers who work in difficult situations. Importantly, he also announced a special fund for the journalists and media workers under which Rs 04 million would be paid in compensation to families of journalists and media workers who die in the line of duty and the amount would be increased gradually. Special thanks to the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb and Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarrar for devising the programme meticulously as it would go a long way in easing the lives of media people and their families.