Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday directed the Federal Finance Ministry to immediately release the grant given to the Lahore Press Club (LPC) and favourably consider its proposals for the welfare of journalists.
He was talking to LPC President Sarmad Bashir, who called on him at the PM’s House. The PM directed the Federal Information Ministry to take up the matter with the Federal Finance Ministry and expedite the summary regarding payment of development charges for providing residential accommodation to journalists of Lahore. He said that the government considered freedom of press as an integral part of the democratic dispensation and encouraged free expression of views to promote plurality and tolerance in society.
Gilani said that he had created an endowment fund for welfare of journalists by contributing Rs 200 million as seed money. Bashir discussed matters pertaining to the welfare of journalists. He requested the PM for release of grant announced for the LPC at the oath-taking ceremony of its office-bearers in October last year.
