Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Monday inaugurated the sub-office Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) here. Addressing inaugural ceremony, she said the basic concept of setting up Pemra office was to facilitate the masses of Sialkot and it will be supportive in highlighting the trade and commerce activities of this export-oriented city and hub of cottage industry of the country.
Business community of Sialkot was playing its tremendous role not only in exporting quality products world-wide, but also in completing many a social welfare projects and face-lifting of Sialkot, she said. The She further said that exporter community of Sialkot had set a unique precedent for other by completing mega project of Sialkot International Airport on self-help basis adding that this project was a symbol of commitment and missionary zeal.
Dr Firdous Awan said that PPP led government believes in freedom of expression and wants to see print and electronic media flourishing in the country. It is the fundamental right of people to know about the facts based on reality, but unfortunately people were being deprived from this facility because media was not furnishing/presenting correct news stories, she said.
She was confident that media will realise the gravity of this core issue and ensure accurate information in news papers and channels in the country. Media serves the purpose of a bridge between the government and people which help in bridging the gap, she maintained.
Similarly, Pemra will play its instrumental role of a bridge between the government and private channels she added. The Information Minister revealed that another FM radio station would soon be set up in Sialkot in collaboration with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) for educational purposes. The proposed FM radio station would serve the purpose of education and resultantly a large number of students would be benefited in remote areas of Sialkot district, she said. Similarly, a sub-office Pakistan Television and Directorate of Radio Pakistan would also be established shortly in Sialkot, she disclosed.
Dr Firdous further said that cable network had become a major industry that providing job opportunities to hundreds of people in every nook and corner of the country. On this occasion she stressed the need of establishment of Sialkot Electronic Association. Chairman Pemra Dr Abdul Jabbar and Chairman Sialkot International Airport Syed Mukhtar Bukhari also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, federal information minister along with Chairman Pemra formally inaugurated 15th sub-office of Pemra.