Sindh Caretaker Minister for Information, Minority Affairs, and Social Protection Muhammad Ahmad Shah visited the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) on Friday, met the officials and members of the Council. On this occasion, the officials and members of CPNE extended a warm welcome to the Caretaker Minister Muhammad Ahmad Shah. In their welcome speeches, all the officials paid tribute to the work and services of the Caretaker Information Minister in the fields of literature and culture.
They also presented and expressed their long-standing relationship and friendship. Caretaker Minister for Information, Minority Affairs, and Social Security Muhammad Ahmad Shah said that he has a long-standing relationship with CPNE. Aamir Mahmood, his friend and colleague from university days, as well as the other council members and officials, share a bond of friendship, we have all struggled together.
Muhammad Ahmad Shah stated that we have transformed the Arts Council into an institution comparable to Hyde Park for the expression of opinions.
Here, we have established a platform for workers, women, children, and minorities, providing a space where individuals can voice their thoughts and concerns. He mentioned that the history of the Karachi Press Club, concerning the fight for human rights, justice, and the expression of opinions, has been remarkable. Prominent personalities have served as members and officials in the Karachi Press Club, playing a historic role in the ongoing struggle. Muhammad Ahmad Shah mentioned that the caretaker Sindh government will promptly settle all the dues of CPNE members and officials.
The necessary regulatory processes in this regard are nearing completion. The Caretaker Information Minister assured that no newspaper will be overlooked in terms of official advertisements. Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh, Justice Retired Maqbool Baqar, is profoundly committed to the welfare of journalists and journalistic institutions. I am personally invested in my longstanding relationship with and in light of my relationship with you, he has also entrusted me with the portfolio of information. Caretaker Information Minister Muhammad Ahmad Shah stated that the Caretaker Sindh Government aims to initiate a special awareness campaign addressing various social issues of public interest, including minority concerns, women and children’s issues, and other emergency matters.
He mentioned that under the Department of Social Protection, a program providing financial assistance of 30,000 rupees to economically disadvantaged pregnant women residing in remote villages is under consideration. He said that there will be a focus on prioritizing digital media. He mentioned that efforts are underway to stabilize the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners (CPJMP), as well as the Sindh Information Commission. He emphasized that the perpetrators of the Jan Muhammad Maher case will be apprehended under any circumstances; the directives from the caretaker chief minister of Sindh are explicit.
This is why IG Sindh is personally overseeing the operation and has visited the scene.
In addition to the police, Rangers is also present to provide assistance. In response to a question, he stated that the caretaker government is prepared for elections on February 8. He emphasized his firm belief that the right to govern belongs entirely to the elected representatives of the people. Muhammad Ahmad Shah mentioned that he is actively working to facilitate discussions between each department’s minister and the media.
The goal is to communicate the departmental performance to the public through the media channels. Muhammad Ahmad Shah mentioned that the Sindh government will implement measures to provide insurance coverage for all journalists, cameramen, photographers, media workers, editors, and other media professionals. Amir Mehmood, Dr. Jabbar Khattak, Hamid Hussain Abidi, and a substantial number of officials and members of CPNE attended the event.
