ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid Friday said the government believed in the freedom of expression and not planning to impose curbs on media.
Talking to media persons, who boycotted the proceeding of National Assembly for refusing their vehicles' entry in the parking of National Assembly and attack of PTI and PAT protests to mediapersons, he said:
"We believed on freedom of expression, media and had no intention to curb on independence of media".
He strongly condemned attacks on the media persons. He said some elements were forcing cable operates not to air certain channels which is regrettable.
The minister urged media to report PTI and PAT protests with responsibility. When asked that participants of the PTI and PAT protesters were manhandling the media person, he said, it was the right of the media persons to boycott protestors' coverage.
It was also reported that PTV cameramen was also made hostage by PAT protesters and confiscated the footage of the event.
On floor of the House the Minister asked National Assembly speaker to address the issue of media person as premises belonged to him.
He said it would be helpful in performing professional duties in better manners.
The speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq assured the media persons their concerns would be addressed. He said the deputy speaker is holding meeting with the concerned in this regard.
Information Minister also assured the House that people involved in the attacking PTI leader's Shah Mehmood Qureshi would be dealt as per law of the country.
"Violence is not the culture of PML-M, we believe peaceful co-existence" he added.
Minister for Water and Power also rose the issue of manhandling of journalists in PTI and PAT marchers. He said vehicles are unsafe being parked outside the National Assembly building. The Minister also condemned attack on media person performing duties in PTI and PAT protests.
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