Islamabad; Protecting rights of journalists is top most priority for the government

The government of Islamabad prioritizes safeguarding journalists’ rights, as emphasized during a meeting between Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists officials and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb. Efforts under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership aim to enhance freedom of expression, with a focus on protecting the journalist community. A special committee is working on ‘The Journalists and Media Professionals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2022’ to further support these initiatives.

A delegation of the newly-elected office bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt, General Secretary Arshad Ansari, Finance Secretary Lala Asad Pathan and other officials paid a visit to the minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb. In addressing them, she said, ‘the incumbent government fully believes in the fundamental, democratic and constitutional right of freedom of expression. Optimum measures were being taken for the promotion of freedom of expression under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as protecting rights of journalist community was top most priority of the government.’

She also mentioned that the ministry has received ‘The Journalists and Media Professionals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2022’ and a special committee, having representatives of the Ministry of Information, Law, Human Rights, and Media, was working to finalize it.