Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif administered oath to newly-elected Lahore Press Club President Muhammad Shahbaz Mian, Vice President Abdul Majeed Sajid, Secretary Shadab Riaz, Joint Secretary Zahid Gogi, Treasurer Zaheer Ahmed Babur and members of the governing body here in Model Town.
He congratulated newly-elected office-bearers and members of the governing body on assuming new responsibilities. “I believe role of journalists, columnists, TV anchors and analysts is very important for improving society and guiding governments,” he said, expressing the hope that they would continue to play their positive role for the betterment of Pakistan.
On the occasion, Shehbaz Mian gave life membership of the prestigious Lahore Press Club to chief minister. The chief minister said that the journalists have made great struggle and gave sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and strengthening of democratic institutions in Pakistan. He said that the struggle of the journalists for this purpose would always be remembered.
Announcing increase in annual grant of the Lahore Press Club from Rs 3 million to Rs 5 million, Shehbaz said that medical facilities would also be provided to members of the press club. He also constituted a committee comprising Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Information Secretary Momin Agha, Press Secretary Shoaib Bin Aziz, LDA director general and the Directorate General of the Public Relations to take practical steps for resolving their genuine problems.
He said that this committee would sit with representatives of journalists and present final recommendations at the earliest for resolving their genuine problems. He said that he takes guidance from press reports, columns and other sources. He also said that print and electronic media play an important role for conveying any message to the people in a better manner therefore they have to apprise them of the steps being taken for the development of Pakistan.
He asked journalists to perform their duty without any fear and play their active role in promoting good deeds in the society. Governing Body members Rana Muhammad Shahzad, Imran Sheikh, Muhsen Ali, Azhar Maqbool, Jawad Rizvi, Ismail Jakhar, Furqan Elahi and Sher Afzal Butt were also present on the occasion.
Referring to Orange Line Metro Train project, he said this great project was discussed on some TV channels without knowing the facts although this was a great gift for providing modern and comfortable travelling facilities to the common man. He said that metro bus service has provided comfortable and respectable travelling facility to common man and they have been rid of Quingqi, smoke-emitting rickshaws and wagons.
He said that metro buses were providing travelling facilities to the people under an excellent system and now metro train project was also being set up and some opponents by leveling allegations of corruption against this project were trying to mar it. Shehbaz said he was proud to say that he was ready to quit if corruption of even a single penny was proved against him during the last eight years and previous two and a half years in any public welfare project including Orange Line Metro Train project.
