Minister Tarar Calls for Institutional Reforms to Address Media Challenges

ISLAMABAD — Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar emphasized on Tuesday the government’s commitment to providing institutional solutions to the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan’s media industry, reaffirming that the media is the fourth pillar of the state.

In a meeting with a delegation from the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), the minister highlighted the government’s active steps to protect journalists, enhance their welfare, and improve professional facilities across the media sector.

The meeting addressed a wide range of media-related issues, including:

• Reform of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA)
• Action against irregularly published newspapers
• Pending payments to print media outlets
• Operationalization of the Journalists Protection Commission

Tarar said the PECA law is aimed at protecting credible journalists, and he welcomed constructive input for improving its implementation. “We are ready to consult with journalist organizations on PECA to remove misunderstandings and ensure transparency,” he added.

Government Initiatives

• A dedicated committee has been formed to address the issue of non-operational newspapers.
• The Journalists Protection Commission will be made functional soon.
• Pending dues to the print media will be cleared within this fiscal year.
• A joint working group involving media representatives will be established to resolve journalists’ problems on a priority basis.

Minister Tarar commended the Pakistani media for its mature and responsible coverage during the recent standoff with India, highlighting its role in ensuring national unity and disseminating accurate information.

He also reiterated the government’s commitment to press freedom, stating it is a hallmark of any democratic system.

The CPNE delegation praised the Ministry of Information and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) for ensuring timely and authenticated information dissemination. They submitted various suggestions for improving journalist protection, access to information, and professional conditions in the media sector.

Attendees at the meeting included:

• Badar Shahbaz Warraich, Prime Minister’s Media Coordinator
• Mubashir Hassan, Principal Information Officer
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