Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, has said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government firmly believes in free and responsible journalism and has placed the welfare of journalists among its top priorities.
He stated that the seed money of the endowment fund established for the welfare of journalists has been doubled to enable more journalists to benefit from it.
Shafi Jan further said that a special grant of Rs. 400 million has been approved for the payment of outstanding advertisement dues to newspapers, while an additional Rs. 400 bmillion will be released in the upcoming budget. He clarified that the payment of these dues to newspapers is being made conditional upon the clearance of journalists’ salaries and dues to ensure protection of their rights.
He added that the provincial government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi, is also introducing an easy interest-free loan scheme for journalists.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held at the National Press Club Islamabad in connection with World Press Freedom Day, organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.
The Special Assistant said that the current federal government’s attitude towards journalists is regrettable. Actions are being taken against journalists under laws such as the PECA Act, and prominent journalists are being taken off air. He paid tribute to the martyred journalists who sacrificed their lives for press freedom.
He said that there is complete political and media freedom in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and criticism of any government member, including the Chief Minister, is fully allowed without any punitive action. He added that political parties have full freedom to hold gatherings, whereas in other provinces, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is being restricted from political activities.
He further said that during the general elections, election results were changed through Form 47; however, despite this, the party continues to enjoy public trust.