ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the present government of PPP is determined to lead all efforts for the development of free and independent media in Pakistan and the government would continue to keep close coordination with journalist community.

He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists PFUJ here in his offices. The PFUJ delegation was led by its president Mr. Pervaiz Shaukat. Issues of constitution of 8th Wage Board Award , non-implementation of 7th Wage Board Award, non payment of salaries to newspaper employees other problems faced by journalist community were discussed.

The delegation thanked the Minister for issuing orders for the constitution of 8th Wage Board Award and appreciated him for his journalist friendly policies. The delegation also included Shams ul Islam Naz, secretary PFUJ, Shehryar. NNI

NEW YORK:: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Sunday condemned Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari for imposing a ban on media, accusing him of “intolerable interference” in press freedom.

The IFJ welcomed the resignation of Information Minister Sherry Rehman and warned that President’s action would undermine the reputation of his government. “The President is guilty of the most intolerable interference in press freedom,” Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary, said.

“Her offer to resign shows a degree of principle in a tawdry incident that casts a shadow over the good name of the governing Pakistan People’s Party,” he added. Rehman decided to quit over differences on the government’s handling of the media.-SANA

Association of Pakistani Lawyers a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, Judges in UK jointly condemn blocking TV transmissions in Pakistan in the wake of lawyers long March 2009, and regret to note that curbs on Article 19 freedom is ordered in a democratic reign of democratic parties not in military dictatorship.

APL endorses and encourages freedom of expression, tolerance as enshrined in Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution and considers the right of people of free speech as inalienable. We had supported all journalists when they were under threat post 9th March 2007 and in particular after imposition of emergency post 3rd November 2007, and we reiterate our stand and upholds our tradition and values of supporting a free press and electronic media in Pakistan today. We strongly support the rights of free media and the protection of journalists in Pakistan, who are doing a great job in difficult circumstances keeping people informed when electricity is off most of the time. APL strongly condemns this aggression toward media in particular towards GEO, Aaj TV and ARY and DM Digital and we hope that the relevant authorities will take appropriate action against those involved, and APL urges the administration of Pakistan, in particular Islamabad to provide additional security to employees of electronic media outlets who are broadcasting their transmissions to cover the historic long March 2009. We encourage other members of civil society to step forward and lend their support in the time of need to Pakistani media and support and protect journalists and staff in this difficult times. APL further observed that Media anchors must also show restraint and responsibility whilst discussing matters of very sensitive nature and impartiality is maintained.

APL confirms that suspension basic human rights is against the law of the land and international law. We jointly make representation to international community to take notice of imposition of emergency administrative measures (s.144 of PPC) in most part of Pakistan and worst crack down on lawyers and civic society and condemn such intimidation of judiciary, press, lawyer community and free society and reject this imposition inviting the civilian rulers to learn from the demise of General Musharraf and call for broad based national reconciliation ensuring participation of all political parties. If this gulf between political forces, common man and armed forces is not checked, the federation and movement for civil rule may suffer grave damage. We reject imposition of hurdles in citizen’s rights when Govt. of the day fails to deliver.

In the current geo political situation in the country The President must consider an option of reconciliation with the people of Pakistan as current situation desires all heads of constitutional tracheotomy to observe extreme patience and wisdom and be visionary to avoid conflicts which have serious repercussions for the state of Pakistan, and implement ‘charter of democracy’ which is a political will of Shaheed Ms. Benazir Bhuttoo.

APL further condemns the deteriorating law an order situation in Pakistan and arrests of lawyers and suppressing media. The government of the day must show political will to promote some integrity and tolerance to bear the voice of opposition, media, and civil society which is their democratic right as they claim in their ‘manifesto’ and take credit for supporting this freedom.

We all hope that Lawyers, media and Civil society’s contribution is fruitful to bring Pakistan out of this constitutional crisis and we hope that it reaches to those rulers who make decision(s) to listen to it and act accordingly for rule of law, justice and supremacy of Constitution to save the federation and country from imminent dangers.

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has condemned the blocking of Geo News transmission in various cities of country. Talking to media on Friday, Nawaz Sharif said: “These steps have reminded us the negative tactics adopted by former dictator.”

It may be mentioned here that the transmission of Geo News has been blocked in parts of the twin cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi Lahore, Quetta, Multan, Rawlakot, Muzaffarabad and several other cities. The concerned officials have directed the cable operators to place Geo News channel at the tail end, making it difficult for the viewers to watch the channel.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: French Ambassador to Pakistan Deniel Jouanneau has said that a lot of potential exists between Pakistan and France to enhance cooperation in the field of media. He said this during his visit to Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Headquarters here on Wednesday.

The French Ambassador said both the countries share same values of freedom, liberty and equality and they are cooperating in various fields especially in defense. This cooperation can be expanded to other sectors as well. He assured that possibilities of exchange of programmes between Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and French media outlets will be explored.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Murtaza Solangi said that as a public sector media organization, Radio Pakistan is playing a vital role in disseminating information and providing entertainment to the masses.

He said we are launching school broadcast programmes especially in the NWFP where schools were burnt recently, depriving the children of educational opportunities. On a question, the French Ambassador said extremism and terrorism is a global problem and both Pakistan and France are collaborating to eliminate this menace.

Later, the Ambassador visited Central Production Unit, National Broadcasting Service and FM 101 studios where he was briefed about the programmes being aired. He evinced keen interest in the functioning of departments and appreciated PBC’s role in nation building efforts.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani inaugurated new news room of Pakistan Television in Islamabad on Friday.In his brief remarks on the occasion, the Prime Minister appreciated the efforts being made by PTV for ensuring independent and credible news coverage. He hoped that the new News Room would go a long way in further improving the standard of news.

He congratulated PTV for setting up of News Room in the Chaghi studio and hoped it would also help improve the services of the institution. The Prime Minister appreciated PTV for carrying its non stop transmission during the havoc of Marriot hotel bomb blast.

The News Room set up at the Chaghi studio is the biggest news room in South Asia that has been equipped with state of art technology and tape less and paper less digital technology.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has said that in the new democratic set up, the roles of the Information Ministry and PEMRA are that of facilitators and not regulators for media. Speaking the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting in Islamabad on Saturday, she asked the electronic media to voluntarily evolve a code of conduct for itself. She urged the Committee to give policy guidelines to the Ministry in this regard. Continue Reading

ISLAMABAD: A famous Pakistani journalist, analyst, a political analyst, commentator and a TV show host Dr. Shahid Masood took charge Saturday as Chairman Pakistan Television (PTV) and M.D PTV. Notification of his appointment as a Chairman PTV was already issued. While, M.D. PTV Yousaf Baig Mirza was removed. Recently he was the anchor of the popular show “Meray Mutabiq” (Urdu for “the way I see it”) on Geo TV. He had been affiliated with ARY One World as its senior executive director and was the chief of ARY One World conducting the show Views on News on ARY. He was fired by the ARY group after immense pressure by Gen. Musharraf, who disliked being criticized. Continue Reading

ISLAMABAD: Prominent journalist, columnist, political annalist and host, Dr. Shahid Masood has been appointed as Chairman of PTV. The Information and Broadcasting issued formal notification about his appointment as PTV Chairman on Friday. Dr. Shahid Masood father was civil engineer in Saudi Arabia where he worked for 15 year. He started his career as a surgeon before coming apolitical commentator and analyst. He had been affiliated with the ARY One World as its senior executive director and was the chief of the ARY One World conducting the show, Views on News on ARY. Since then he recently joined GEO TV. His television show has been off air since late 2007 when GEO TV was banned by the government. Continue Reading

ISLAMABAD: Co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari has said that he believes in media freedom and denied any plans of crackdown on the media. In an exclusive interview with Private TV channel, the PPP leader said Monday that his party would back journalists in the contempt of court case against Geo News. He said he directed his lawyer Dr. Babar Awan to appear in the court on May 22 on behalf of the newsmen. Continue Reading