ISLAMABAD: While talking to a Japanese media delegation here on Tuesday, Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History & Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb expressed her resolve to build the country’s image through its cultural diversity.
She said that Pakistan has a rich cultural heritage and the present democratic government would leave no stone unturned to portray and project its culture and preserve its unique heritage. Aurangzeb further said that the government was vigorously working for the revival of the country’s film industry and for the rehabilitation of its cultural heritage, adding that films were among the greatest media to promote any nation’s core values, mores and traditions.
She said that serious efforts were underway to formulate the country’s first ever film production and broadcast policy by incentivising the sector through various tax rebates and establishing a film finance fund, a directorate of films and a films academy. Moreover, an artist welfare fund was also being instituted with a view to encourage deserving artists of the country.
She informed the delegation that under Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s directions, the government was also working to revitalize the glorious past of Pakistan Television through technological innovations, capacity building of its employees and turning it into a state-of-the-art institution with fewer screens and more impact.
The minister said that when the PML-N government came to power in 2013, the economy of the country was in a shambles and the country was in the grip of a severe energy crisis and a deteriorating law and order situation. She said that credit went to the vision of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for turning the homeland into a peaceful abode. She also hailed the supreme sacrifices rendered by armed forces, police and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan in improving the security situation and implementing the vision of former prime minister in this connection.
She further remarked that the government through its sustained and devoted efforts had successfully overcome the energy crisis in Pakistan as energy produced at the moment was much greater than the demand, adding that the amount of electricity which was generated during the last four years had no parallel in Pakistan’s history.
Responding to a question, she said that Pakistan was a thriving democracy where media enjoyed unprecedented freedom and civil society was highly vibrant and dynamic. She said that the government believed in the fundamental right of freedom of expression and would continue to facilitate and support the growth of free and responsible media in Pakistan. She said that the government was making all possible efforts to provide a secure and conducive environment for journalists so that they could perform their obligations in accordance with their professional ethos.
Moreover, she informed the delegation that legislation regarding safety and security of journalist was also under process.
Responding to another question, she said that more than 60 percent population of Pakistan was made of youth and Nawaz Sharif had launched a robust programme for their development, including a youth business loan scheme, a fee reimbursement programme, a youth skill development programme and the Prime Minister Youth Training Scheme.
“Pakistani youth are well aware of their rights and are enlightened and technologically adept,” she added.
The meeting was attended by External Publicity Wing (I&B Division) Director General Zahoor Ahmed Barlas and other senior officials of the information ministry.
