Federal for Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Tuesday said that successful holding of Senate elections was a result of continued democratic process.
“The credit for this achievement goes to the political sagacity of President Asif Zardari and policy of reconciliation pursued by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, she said while chairing a media chiefs’ meeting held here to highlight the four-year performance of the democratic government.
“The completion of Senate elections is a proof of the fact that the present democratic government is committed to strengthening democracy and national institutions,” the federal minister said.
Dr Firdous said thatPPP took all the democratic forces an board for the welfare of the people and the stability of the country. “The consensus on the election of the Senate chairman and deputy chairman is a good omen, which indicates that we are marching towards the path of political stability and maturity,” she added.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the government believed in complete freedom of media and was taking steps in this regard. It had always supported freedom of expression, adding Shaheed Benazir Bhutto remained strong supporter of a free media and freedom of speech,” she added. The information minister said the PPP-led government wanted to strengthen and empower the media. The PPP government had the credit of lifting restrictions on the media imposed by the previous dictatorial regime, she concluded.
