Latest News

PMDA disbanded, newly elected Information Minster Marriyum Aurangzeb announces

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announces disbanding Digital Media Wing.
Zero tolerance for baselss criticism of institutions, journalists, she says.
Bilawal to take oath soon; PM Shehbaz to address nation in a day or two, she adds.

ISLAMABAD: Newly elected Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb Tuesday announced disbanding the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) set up during the PTI government’s tenure.

“An attempt was being made to gag an already muzzled media. But now, whatever shape and form PMDA is working in, we have announced to disband it,” the minister — who took oath hours earlier — told journalists.

Aurangzeb said the coalition government would not allow the imposition of curbs on freedom of expression in the country as she termed the PMDA a “black law”.

She mentioned that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had termed the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Ordinance “unconstitutional” due to the efforts of journalists and PML-N as well.

“So now, we will review this PECA law and take all stakeholders on board in this regard. We will also identify the gaps which are there and were used to muzzle the media,” Aurangzeb added.

Important announcements

Disbanding of Pakistan Media Development Authority
Disbanding of Digital Media Wing
Works to soon be done on journalists’ protection bill
Zero tolerance for baseless criticism of institutions, journalists
More accessibility of information to journalists

The information minister said for the last four years, the Pakistani society experienced suffocation, may it be in the form of abusive language, targeting of politicians, black laws, or ordinances.

“I think we should now move towards a new beginning as a coalition government has been formed that represents entire Pakistan,” the information minister said.

‘Zero tolerance’

In response to a question, Aurangzeb said the government has gathered data on the bot Twitter accounts that were being operated to malign the institutions and run trends against them.

“This does not come under freedom of expression as these campaigns are being run through software. There is zero tolerance on such trends and campaigns,” the information minister said.

Aurangzeb warned the PTI that it could not protest outside journalists’ homes just because their government failed to deliver. “There will be zero tolerance regarding this and we have instructed the inspector general of Islamabad to make sure that culprits are published.”

No revenge; president should resign

Aurangzeb noted that the government would not take revenge on its political opponents, but whosoever has done something illegal while in office, action will be taken against them.

With regards to President Arif Alvi refusing to administer the oath to the federal cabinet and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Aurangzeb said the president should be aware of the fact that he is not a member of the PTI, but has a constitutional role.

“…if he cannot fulfil the oath he took while becoming president, then the best option for him is to resign,” the information minister told Alvi, who refused to administer oaths to the coalition government’s members, and in his absence, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered the oaths.

Bilawal to take oath; Shebaz to address nation

Aurangzeb also said confidently that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was going to London, but once he comes back, he would take his oath as the federal minister.

PML-N leader Khawaja Asif had confirmed a day earlier that Bilawal would become the next foreign minister, but the PPP chairman did not attend today’s oath-taking ceremony.

Apart from Bilawal, nine other federal and state ministers from PPP took oath today, including Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Abdul Qadir Patel, Shazia Marri, Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Sajid Hussain Turi, Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari, and Abid Hussain Bhayo.

The newly elected information minister added that the prime minister would also address the nation in a day or two and would announce the government’s long and term goals.

Accountability crucial for govt

At the outset of her first press briefing after becoming the information ministry, Aurangzeb said during the previous government’s tenure, Pakistan’s media industry went through a dark phase, facing a financial crisis, the firing of journalists, muzzling of freedom of expression, censorship, and other problems that the journalists faced.

The journalists were shot and abducted during PTI’s tenure, she said. “…Absar Alam, Matiullah Jan, Hamid Mir, and Asad Toor all faced troubles in the last four years, and I stand in solidarity with them,” the newly elected federal minister said.

She noted that accountability by the media was crucial for the government as it helps the rulers rectify themselves and serve the people better.

Business

The cost of a liter of petroleum increased by much to Rs 8.14.

Published

1 min ago

Farwa

Prices for gasoline and high-speed diesel were raised by the government on Monday by Rs4.53 and Rs8.14, respectively, for the upcoming two weeks.

In relation to this, the ministry of finance released a notice.

Diesel now costs Rs 290.38 per litre, while petrol is now priced at Rs 293.94 per liter following the most recent increase.

Additionally, light diesel cost Rs6.54 more per litre, to Rs174.34. A 6.69% increase in price to Rs193.8 per liter was made for kerosene oil.

The impact of the developing Middle East situation and the expanding global market are the main factors contributing to the transformation.

Before the most recent spike, the price of gasoline and HSD had risen by almost $4 and $4.50 per barrel, respectively, on the global market during the previous two weeks.

Latest News

Accidents in Bahawalnagar resulted in two deaths and three injuries.

Published

9 mins ago

Farwa

In two different incidents that happened in Bahawalnagar on Monday night, at least two individuals died and three more were in serious condition.

Details indicate that the first accident happened near the Chishtian Road when a motorcycle was struck by an oil tanker, instantly killing the woman and hurting her son. Following the collision, the tanker’s driver was able to flee the area.

In the second, two motorcycles crashed in the main city, killing a seven-year-old youngster and injuring two more. The deceased and injured have been taken to a local hospital by rescue crews.

Latest News

The commission from Faizabad clears Faiz Hameed of all allegations and recommends prudent management of the situation.

Published

12 mins ago

Farwa

Retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the former director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been cleared of all accusations by the inquiry commission looking into the November 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

The three-member panel, appointed by the Supreme Court, has released its 149-page report.

After assessing the circumstances surrounding the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan sit-in at Faizabad, the panel reportedly identified a number of shortcomings in the way the matter was handled and produced recommendations.

The study includes information on issues pertaining to former law minister Zahid Hamid and outlines the roles played by the Islamabad Police, the Ministry of Interior, the Punjab government, the ISI, and the IB.

According to the report, the ISI director general and the then-chief of army gave Faiz Hameed permission to sign the agreement with protestors in his capacity as Maj Gen DG (C) of ISI. Furthermore, retired General Faiz Hameed’s mediation role was agreed upon by then-prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and then-interior minister Ahsan Iqbal.

The commission emphasized the need to implement every recommendation made in the National Action Plan and suggested that the police command and control system’s shortcomings be fixed.

The commission of inquiry noted that instances resembling those in Faizabad happened as a result of policy shortcomings in the administration. It emphasized that “policymakers” ought to take the Faizabad episode as a lesson.

The Punjabi government was blamed in the report for “allowing the TLP to proceed to Islamabad instead of halting it in Lahore.”

The investigation also noted that hundreds of injuries and fatalities were caused by the twin cities’ police department’s breakdown in communication. The federal government reportedly hired the ISI to help them get in contact with the demonstrators’ leaders, according to the article.

It said that on November 25, 2017, a deal was struck with the ISI’s assistance, and the demonstrators then dispersed.

The study further stated that threats against military officers, Nawaz Sharif, and ministers were made on social media during the sit-in, and the government did nothing to stop them.

The commission stated that Shehbaz Sharif was Punjab’s chief minister at the time of the Faizabad sit-in. At that time, no official or institution was held accountable for the incident by any of the nation’s leaders. “Interference by the military or an agency in a civilian matter seriously affects the institution’s reputation,” stated the statement.

In order to prevent criticism, the group recommended that the army stay out of public affairs. “Handling of civilian affairs is the responsibility of IB and civil administration,” it said.

According to the committee, the Punjabi administration was “negligent and weak,” which contributed to the carnage. It is time to take action to put a stop to violence motivated by religion. The group recommended that the state uphold the constitution, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law without making any concessions.

The commission recommended that before deploying police to Islamabad, they should first be stationed in challenging areas.

“The government is in charge of maintaining public order; other institutions should refrain from interfering. The investigation stated that a zero tolerance strategy is necessary to combat violent extremism.

The inquiry panel, which included senior official Khushal Khan of the Pakistan Administrative Service and former IG Tahir Alam, was led by former IG Syed Akhtar Ali Shah.