LAHORE: Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari on Wednesday said that the pivotal role of media could not be ignored for the continuity and sustainability of democracy in the country.
Speaking during a meeting with Minister for Information & Culture (I&C) Ahmed Waqas Riaz, he appreciated the performance of Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) and the Information department for facilitating media persons during elections and arranging necessary coordination with the stakeholders.
The CM also congratulated the information minister and his team for best media management and said that officers and staff of DGPR and the Information department performed their duties in a professional manner.
Dr Askari said that media played an important role in keeping people informed in the present era and national media had played a positive role during the electoral process. “Immediate actions were taken to redress the complaints highlighted by media during the elections.”
He also said that it was satisfying that role of media was important with regard to sensitising people about the importance of their right to vote and added that print and electronic media created necessary public awareness regarding casting vote through effective messages. “That is why the voter turnout remained satisfactory,” he added.
The CM said media had set a good tradition by following the code of conduct of the Election Commission and it had given a proof of professional competence for the continuity of democracy while coordination between media sector and the Information department remained exemplary.
Earlier, the provincial minister, at the occasion, briefed the chief minister about the performance of the Information and Culture department.