Country Witnessing Completion Of Decade Long Continuous Democracy For The First Time: Marriyum Aurangzeb

Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage, Marriyum Aurangzeb Monday said the country was witnessing completion of decade long continuous democracy for the first time in its seventy years history and those who had been announcing date after date for its derailment and fall of the government had to eat dust.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2018 ) :Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage, Marriyum Aurangzeb Monday said the country was witnessing completion of decade long continuous democracy for the first time in its seventy years history and those who had been announcing date after date for its derailment and fall of the government had to eat dust.

She was speaking on the eve of inauguration of a cricket tournament here at National Ground. Just like the senate elections, general election would also be held on time, she added. The minister said that due to the steps taken in line with the vision of the former prime minister and sacrifices by the armed forces, police and law enforcing agencies the scourge of terrorism had been brought under control to a great extent.

As a consequence the sports activities, cultural events, films and PSL were being revived, she added. She revealed that the prime minister would soon announce a package for the revival of the film industry.

Marriyum said that through the personal efforts of Shahbaz Sharif sports activities had been revived and promoted up to the union council level besides development of playgrounds adding that other provinces needed to emulate his example.

The minister said that the amount of electricity produced during the last four and a half years was more than the produced in the last 66 years, whereas in some provinces it was being produced through feasibility reports and MOUs.

Marriyum said that the Ministry of Information was in the process of bringing legislation for protection of the rights of the working journalists as well as media workers. She said that the decisions of the Supreme Court concerning journalists would be implemented in letter and spirit.

Responding to a question she said that Wage board Award was an old issue and the government held consultations with the media persons and their representative bodies, and made sincere efforts to resolve it.

She however reiterated that the journalists and media workers should also take the issue with the owners of their respective media houses. The minister while paying tributes to the media for its positive contribution in the society said that media and freedom of expression were gaining strength in the country.

She said that media should contribute for stability of the country and democracy with collective thinking.

She said that while disseminating news the media should give due consideration to truthfulness, ethics and self accountability.

Marriyum said that the phenomenon of terrorism during the last 35 years badly affected sports, culture, music and films like other spheres of national life. The minister said that the former prime minister in line with his vision never made indiscriminate efforts for establishing peace.

She said that the former Prime Minister had redeemed all the pledges that he made with the masses and would also fulfill the promise for restoration of the sanctity of vote, respect and justice.

The minister said that arts and artists were being encouraged for the revival of the film industry whereas at the local level measures were also being adopted that would prove a milestone in promoting international tourism.

She said all segments of the society would have to contribute towards projecting positive image of the country at the global level. Marriyum said that the present government was working for the posterity under the leadership of the former prime minister adding that CPEC would herald the arrival of economic prosperity for the future generations of the region.

The minister said that the PML (N) government worked on emergency basis to confront the twin challenges of energy shortages and tackling terrorism. The government not only announced development projects but also ensured their timely completion and the people were enjoying the dividends of those efforts, she added.

The former Prime Minister initiated national health programme and education reforms, she said. Referring to the third marriage of Imran Khan she expressed good wishes for him and prayed to Allah Almighty to bring peace and more festivities in his life, observing that he badly needed rest and peace.

Answering a question, the minister said that the process for consultation with the opposition leader for setting up caretaker government was yet to take place. Marriyum said that the present government would complete its tenure.

She said people had great expectations from democracy but night raids were conducted against it repeatedly. Marriyum observed that it would not be repeated because the country could not afford such adventures any more.