Press enjoying complete freedom
ISLAMABAD- Ashfaq Ahmad Gondal, Principal Information OfficerPress, Press Information Department (PID) said “Pakistan is enjoying complete freedom while the government is encouraging easy access to flow of information in the country” while talking to 10-member media team from the People’s Republic of China. The team is currently on an 8-day visit to Pakistan headed by Dong Yunhu, Director General, State Council Information Office, Beijing.
Ashfaq Ahmad Gondal said that there were no restrictions on freedom of expression in Pakistan.
He stressed the need for closer co-operation between the Chinese media and Pakistani press to thwart, western misconception against Pakistan and China on issues of human rights, terrorism, child labour and the concept of extremism.
He said that the west’s misplaced notions on these issues needed to be corrected and the image of a modem welfare state has to be put forth in its true perspective.
He said that the friendly countries like Pakistan and People’s Republic of China can create in dispelling the wrong impression against such notions.
Earlier, the PID welcomed the team and highlighted Pak-China friendship. He also briefed the team about the functioning of the department, the government press relationship and close coordination with the print and electronic media.
Dong, Yunhu, the Director General, Chinese Media team appreciated the working of PID in keeping a close liaison with the people and the government.
He stressed that media should be objective and must play its due role in highlighting the social, cultural and national responsibilities of the people towards the state.
He agreed that both the Chinese and Pakistani media should work in close coordination with each other to wash out the western misgivings against us.
The media team was accompanied by the Press Counsellor, Embassy of People’s Republic of China, based in Islamabad. Some other members of the team were Chen Jingkuan, Ms. Pan Zhengyhxiu, Chen Kaiguo, Ms. Zhou Aiming, Ms. Sun Jing and Zhu Hongli.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:2/18/2001
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