ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari has stated that the government and the PPP believed in upholding freedom of the press as an essential element of democracy
He further stated that they will take all measures necessary to protect journalists from all threats while performing their professional duties. "I wish to reiterate the commitment of the government and the PPP to uphold press freedom and also to protect media persons from assaults and threats while performing their professional duties", he said in his message on the Press Freedom Day falling on May 3.
The President complimented the journalist community for their struggle in ensuring that the media was freed from the shackles imposed on it by autocratic regimes and refusing to be deterred by the challenges in their way.
"The Pakistan Peoples Party stands for freedom of press as an essential value of democracy, transparency, good governance and accountability. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it", he added.
The President said it is a matter of concern to note that during the past several years some journalists have been the victims of assault during the course of performing their duties.
The government will pursue investigations and prosecution of cases of assault on media persons and punish the perpetrators of crimes in accordance with the law, he added.
"On this occasion therefore I call upon the government to expedite investigation into and prosecution of cases of assault on journalists. Let no one say that in Pakistan journalists are assaulted with impunity", he maintained.
The President also called upon the government to expedite setting up a special fund for journalists who lay down their lives in the line of duty.
"The PPP believes that a free media is critical for tearing apart the shroud of secrecy around grave violations of freedom and human rights", he said and added a reformed Bill on the Freedom of Information is already before the Parliament.
The President called upon the Parliament to expedite the passage of the Bill so as "to allow journalists and citizens access to information to expose corruption, wrong doings and violations of human rights."
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