Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that the government believes in the freedom of press and wants to strengthen this fourth pillar of the state.
Giving a policy statement on a Bill for the Protection of Journalists
by Jamaat-e-Islami Parliamentary Leader in Senate Prof. Khurshid Ahmad,
she said the government has taken a number of steps for the welfare of
the Journalist community. She said Prime Minister has established a fund
of worth two hundred million rupees for the journalists.
The Minister said the government has planned some regulations in consultation with PFUJ and press clubs which is being implemented. She said five hundred thousand rupees will be given to the heirs of journalist who lost his life while performing his duty. Two hundred thousand rupees will be paid the heirs of the journalist who lost his life in an accidental death. Three hundred thousand rupees will be given to journalist who lost any organ while performing his duty. Fifty thousand rupees will be paid to the journalist for the marriage of his daughter. Two thousand rupees scholarship will be awarded to one child of the deserving journalist for his education.
The Minister said more facilities will be provided the journalists in consultation with bodies of the journalists.
The chair referred the Journalists Protection and Welfare Bill, 2011 moved by Prof. Khurshid Ahmad and others to the concerned committee. The chair also referred the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2011 moved by Saeeda Iqbal and others to the concerned committee of the House.
The Minister said the government has planned some regulations in consultation with PFUJ and press clubs which is being implemented. She said five hundred thousand rupees will be given to the heirs of journalist who lost his life while performing his duty. Two hundred thousand rupees will be paid the heirs of the journalist who lost his life in an accidental death. Three hundred thousand rupees will be given to journalist who lost any organ while performing his duty. Fifty thousand rupees will be paid to the journalist for the marriage of his daughter. Two thousand rupees scholarship will be awarded to one child of the deserving journalist for his education.
The Minister said more facilities will be provided the journalists in consultation with bodies of the journalists.
The chair referred the Journalists Protection and Welfare Bill, 2011 moved by Prof. Khurshid Ahmad and others to the concerned committee. The chair also referred the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2011 moved by Saeeda Iqbal and others to the concerned committee of the House.
Rising on a point of order, Sabir Baloch condemned the derogatory
remarks against the President given by Punjab Chief Minister Mian
Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at PML(N) rally in Lahore on Friday.
He said Asif Ali Zardari is an elected President and part of the Parliament. He said by giving such remarks, the Punjab Chief Minister insulted the Constitution and the Parliament.
Salahuddin Dogar said Punjab Chief Minister speech was against the Constitution and the democratic norms.
Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said Shahbaz Sharif talked against corruption and demanded action against the corrupt people but in reaction PML(N) offices in Sindh were burnt. He said this is very undemocratic. He said accountability bill lying in the Senate should be passed at the earliest so that across the board accountability should be carried out.
Abdul Rahim Mandokhel using foul language should be stopped immediately and all the political parties should focus on highlighting their manifestos and policies.
Hafiz Rashid Ahmad said FATA people are being killed in drone attacks and demanded that these attacks should be stopped. He said attention should be given on development of FATA like other parts of the country.
He said Asif Ali Zardari is an elected President and part of the Parliament. He said by giving such remarks, the Punjab Chief Minister insulted the Constitution and the Parliament.
Salahuddin Dogar said Punjab Chief Minister speech was against the Constitution and the democratic norms.
Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said Shahbaz Sharif talked against corruption and demanded action against the corrupt people but in reaction PML(N) offices in Sindh were burnt. He said this is very undemocratic. He said accountability bill lying in the Senate should be passed at the earliest so that across the board accountability should be carried out.
Abdul Rahim Mandokhel using foul language should be stopped immediately and all the political parties should focus on highlighting their manifestos and policies.
Hafiz Rashid Ahmad said FATA people are being killed in drone attacks and demanded that these attacks should be stopped. He said attention should be given on development of FATA like other parts of the country.
Leader of House in the Senate, Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari told the
House that the Federal Government is in consultation with all the
provincial governments to establish Drug Regulatory Authority. Answering
point of order raised by Haseeb Khan, he said a draft has been prepared
and as soon as we reached a consensus, law would be framed in this
regard.
The House referred privilege motions of Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari and
Ilyas Bilour to the concerned committee for appropriate action and
report.
The Senate resumed its session this afternoon with Deputy Chairman, Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali in the chair. SANA
