Newly-elected LPC Office-bearers Call On Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that problems being faced by the journalist community will be solved on merit within a week

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 09th Jan, 2018 ) :Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that problems being faced by the journalist community will be solved on merit within a week.

He said this while talking to the newly-elected office-bearers of Lahore Press Club, on Tuesday. "We welcome the positive journalistic criticism aimed at improvement, but the media should continue holding itself accountable and discourage yellow journalism.

Journalists and the media houses that are performing their duties by maintaining the journalistic ethics of speaking the truth and honesty are commendable. Journalists should point out the corruption cases worth billions of rupees that have been put in cold storage, while NAB should proactively pursue them".

The chief minister said that the role of the media is pivotal in raising public awareness and added that journalistic right of healthy criticism of the government and other institutions was acceptable.

"But working for transformation of society, instead of playing a routine innings, will give you a sense of individuality in the journalistic community. I appeal to journalists to utilise their authority and power for bringing a soft revolution in society," he added.

The CM expressed his satisfaction that with the grace of Allah Almighty, over-all situation in Pakistan has improved a lot compared with that in 2013. The energy crisis is about to end and the indigenously produced thousands of megawatts of electricity is being included in the national grid.

"Our energy projects developed with billions of rupees have started producing electricity, despite criticism by the opponents, sit-ins and impediments created in the shape of public rallies and gatherings.

"I challenge the opposition to find out any corruption in these projects. I point out with all humbleness and satisfaction that while the element of corruption is impossible in these projects, the energy projects are being completed with much lesser costs, and the saved money is being spent on other projects." On the other side, the CM said, the incidents of terrorism have been decreased as compared with the past.

But for that, armed forces, police and other law-enforcement agencies as well as the people have given tremendous sacrifices to maintain peace in the country. Newly-elected LPC President Azam Chaudhry thanked the chief minister and said that his services for strengthening of democracy were commendable and added that the press was also working for promotion of democratic norms.

The journalist community is thankful to the CM for constituting a committee on the issue of B-Block, he added. The spokesman for Punjab government, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, said that consultation was in process with the board of Revenue and other institutions with regard to housing society of Lahore Press Club.

The Punjab government will take every step for the support of journalists, he added. Press Secretary to CM Shoaib-Bin-Aziz, Secretary Information Raja Jehangir Anwar and DGPR Muhammad Shahid Iqbal were also present on the occasion.