CM gives Rs 50m cheque for journalists welfare
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has handed over a cheque of Rs 50 million to Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) as endowment fund for the welfare of journalists.
Speaking on the occasion at Chief Minister House here Wednesday, he said that journalists had always remained in the forefront of the struggle for the rights of people, democracy and against dictators.
He said that the media, the fourth pillar of estate, was active for the rights of people as well as performing its role as a watchdog over governments.
Shah said the government took the criticism of media with open mind and as an advice. “We welcome the media to pin point the mistakes of the government, but we also seek appreciation from media for our good work”, he added.
He assured the support of the government to the journalists community to their genuine demands and added that the government also sought a reciprocal response from the media.
The chief minister said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPPP) under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari was following the guidelines of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for serving the masses. He said that Rs 70 billion had been given to women in Pakistan to make them successful entrepreneurs and start their own business.
Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri while paying rich tributes to journalists said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had always struggled along with journalists for press freedom.
She urged the newspapers and TV channels owners to respect the journalists as they are the asset of their organiations. “Your organisation is run by the journalists and they make your organization prominent”, she noted.
“I salute those journalists who produce investigative news reports and also for all their sacrifices for the cause of press freedom”, Ms Marri added.
She also paid special tribute to those departed journalists, including Sabihuddin Ghausi, who also fought against dictators along with political workers and leaders.
The minister said that journalists had created a new relationship by holding their function at Chief Minister House.
Earlier, central leader of KUJ and Editor Daily Express Tahir Najmi, secretary PFUJ Amin Yousuf, president KUJ GM Jamali and secretary KUJ Fahim Siddiqui spoke on the occasion and said that this fund would be utilised for the welfare of journalists and their families.
They said that renowned retired judges of Supreme Court, including Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ibrahim, Justice (retd) Bhagwan Das and Justice (retd) Haziqul Khairi had been requested to come on the board to ensure transparency in the utilisation of endowment fund.
Daily Times
” 
” 
” 
” 
