ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Syed Ali Zafar on Monday noted that freedom of media was imperative for democracy to flourish in a Country, and they were making untiring efforts to ensure the freedom, impartiality and unbiasedness of state-run media operatus.
While expressing his views at a luncheon he organized for Officials of Information Ministry, Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), and Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) in Islamabad, Syed Ali Zafar said media had become free and vibrant in Pakistan, and it would continue to serve people in a positive manner.
The information minister especially highlighted the performance of state-run media during the recently held general elections, and said its election transmission received appreciation not only from within the Country but from across the globe.
Barrister Ali Zafar said while being part of interim setup, he along with his ministry officials upheld the prestige and qualitative approach of state-run media organizations.
The minister said it had been their quest to further enhance the qualitative aspects of media, and turn it into full independent entity on the pattern of BBC.
The Secretary Information and the Managing Director PTV Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera also spoke at the luncheon, and said expressed gratitude to the Caretaker Information Minister Syed Ali Zafar for his worthy contribution for freedom of media.
The luncheon was also attended by among other dignitaries, the Additional Secretary Ministry of Information and the Director General PBC Shafqat Jalil, Deputy Managing Director PTV and Director General External Publicity Wing (EP Wing) Zahoor Barlas, Managing Director APP Masood Ahmed Malik and other senior officials along with media-men who attended marathon Election Transmissions of PTV and Radio Pakistan.
