Press council draft finalised
LAHORE- The government and the press representatives have reached consensus on the draft for the establishment of a press council in the country.
According to official sources, consensus was reached at a meeting by the representatives of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Newspapers Editors (CPNE) and the officials of the Ministry of Information and Media Development.
Talking to Pakistan Television (PTV) after attending the meeting, CPNE President Nizami said that a consensus was developed between the officials of the Ministry of Information and the representatives of the CPNE and the APNS on a draft for the establishment of Press Council of Pakistan. He termed it a big step and expressed his hope that this would promote a free and fair press in the country. He lauded the efforts of the government for the formation of a press council, saying that it would be self-regulatory and an institution of self-accountability for everybody.
APNS President Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman said that the issue regarding the formation of the council has been pending since long. The previous governments were also engaged in it but the current government had moved the process speedily and for this it deserved appreciation. He said the people of Pakistan also deserve appreciation because “the council will be useful for all”. He observed that now it would be possible to redress the complaints of the people, government or institutions against the press and it would also bear positive impact on the press.
Besides Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman of the APNS and Arif Nizami of the CPNE, Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami and Dr. Jabbar Khattak represented the APNS, while CPNE was represented by Zia Shahid and Syed Fasih lqbal.
The Ministry of Information was represented by Federal Information Secretary Anwar Mehmood. PBC DG Saleem Gul Sheikh, PIO Ashfaq Ahin Gondal and Internal Publicity DG I.N. Abbasi.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:12/1/2000
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