LAHORE: A delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) led by its president Zia Shahid called on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif here on Tuesday.
The delegation appreciated the performance of Punjab Information Department (PID) over the release of government advertisements and provision of their dues in a transparent way.
CPNE President Zia Shahid said that distribution of advertisements in the province is being carried out in a transparent manner as the Information Department had adopted a foolproof mechanism in that regard. “Your team is proactively working,” he added.
The CPNE delegation appreciated the efforts of Shehbaz Sharif for the speedy development of the province and added that everyone is fond of his hard work. They said that a large number of development projects were initiated in Punjab during the last decade, but unfortunately, no work has been done in Sindh during the same time. Rather, they expressed, we have seen regression in Sindh. Therefore, there should be a Shehbaz Sharif in Sindh as well, they said.
Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said the nation is going towards elections and it can be hoped that free and fair elections would be held on time. “The future of democracy and that of the country lies in it,” he added.
He said elections would be held on the basis of performance and the voters would give votes on the basis of performance.
The chief minister maintained that the role of media is very important in that regard. He said, “Facts should be brought out as facts because national interest lies in it. Baseless allegations are not in the interest of the country.”
He opined that an appreciation of Information Department by the CPNE is commendable, while also congratulating the whole team of the department.
Shehbaz Sharif said future of the country can only become bright if we give equal opportunities to all the political parties in the elections.
He said Imran Khan was given a wonderful opportunity to implement the 11 points in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but he did not take benefit of it. “We have taken wonderful steps for the improvement of every sector in Punjab,” he added.
He said that Pakistan has been swirling for the last 70 years, however, it is high time for us to move forward with joint consultations.
The chief minister said, “We will run a vigorous election campaign in Punjab and in other provinces.”
Shehbaz Sharif said development in other provinces is also necessary alongside Punjab. Unique steps have been taken for the development of Southern Punjab during the last ten years whereby nearly 42 per cent development funds were provided for 31 percent population of Southern Punjab, with 10 percent additional quota in every development programme, he added.
CPNE senior member and Pakistan Today Editor Arif Nizami said that he is hopeful that all political parties will get a level playing field and equal opportunity to contest the upcoming general elections in 2018.
On this occasion, CPNE Secretary General Ijaz-ul-Haq said that we are the flag-bearer of independent and free journalism, and all political parties including PML-N should ensure the free and fair journalism, urging to make the payment mechanism to the newspapers even more transparent.
The chief minister extended his apology over the statement of the Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, who had earlier alleged women participant of PTI’s April 29 rally of not belonging to reasonable families.
Provincial Ministers Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Zaeem Qadri, Punjab Government Spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan and others were also present on the occasion.