A Year of Progress Department of Information and Culture of Punjab: The Department of Information

The Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) is the backbone of the Punjab government’s media and public outreach system. This institution plays a key role in highlighting the positive face of the Punjab Government by working round the clock without any holiday. DGPR ensures transparent dissemination of government policies, plans, and development initiatives to the public through strategic media management, timely information dissemination, and effective communication during crises.

The staff of DGPR is a formidable force when it comes to issues like press releases, digital media campaigns, and coverage of various events. This institution through its tireless hard work, professionalism, and unwavering commitment has been playing a significant role in building a strong bond between the government and the people.

Prominent initiatives of the Department of Information and Culture

Journalists Housing Scheme Phase-II

The Punjab government has launched the project of Journalist Colony Lahore Phase-II, which aims to provide residential facilities to 3,200 journalists. The Punjab government is paying Rs 40 crore to the Ravi Urban Development Authority for acquiring land under the project. This step is a symbol of the government’s commitment to the welfare of the journalist community. To provide them with safe and quality housing.

Development of F Block of Phase-I

The Punjab Government has made the rapid development of F Block in the Lahore Press Club Housing Scheme its priority. In this regard, development works that have been stalled for years in F-Block are going on at a rapid pace. The move is aimed at providing modern, safe and well-planned accommodation to journalists, which is part of the government’s policy for the welfare of media professionals.

The Punjab Defamation Act, 2024

The Punjab Assembly on May 20, 2024 passed the Punjab Defamation Act, 2024, aimed at curbing the spread of false information in print, electronic and social media. The law defines defamation as the publication, broadcast or dissemination of statements that damage a person’s reputation and make him or her a target of ridicule, hatred or ridicule.

Financial support for press clubs. The Punjab government has allocated Rs 150 million to provide grants to the Press Clubs of Punjab in the current fiscal year’s budget to support the journalist community. Many press clubs benefited from this, which improved welfare measures for journalists. For the first time in history, the grant of Lahore Press Club has been increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore.

Funds for welfare of journalists doubled

The Punjab government has taken a historic decision to double the welfare fund of journalists. The objective of this initiative is to provide financial assistance to media professionals to facilitate them in key areas of their lives. Major grants that have been doubled These are marriage grant, education grant, medical grant and disability grant.

Implementation of the Punjab Drama Act

On the directions of the Chief Minister, the implementation of the Punjab Drama Act is being ensured to eradicate obscenity. It has been proposed to ban pornographic actors for life and cancel the theatrical license of immoral dramas. An online monitoring portal has been created for this purpose, where all theatre owners will have to report their activities. Strict action will be taken in case of any violation.

The cultural revival

After many years, a grand beginning of cultural and national celebrations was made in Punjab. The birth anniversaries of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Christmas celebrations to promote inter-faith harmony and brotherhood have been celebrated with renewed vigour and fervour. The participation of thousands of citizens in these events strengthened the bond between the people and the government. Further, events like Balochistan Jeep Rally and Punjab Culture Day were organized to highlight inter-provincial harmony and cultural heritage.

Independence and Solidarity Day in Kashmir

For the first time, a tour was made in Punjab by preparing a freedom float - a float that traveled from Rawalpindi to Lahore and reached Minar-e-Pakistan. The float passed through cities like Gujjar Khan, Jhelum, Gujrat and Gujranwala, infusing a new spirit of patriotism among the people. For the first time in Punjab, a grand ceremony for Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 was held at Liberty Chowk in Lahore, while the Department of Information and Culture also released a special song on the occasion of Kashmir Day.

Timely payment of advertising bills to the media

The Department of Information and Culture has implemented a modern system to clear all the dues within a month, under which advertising dues of Rs 3.66 billion were paid to the media.

The elimination of fake advertising agencies

With the advent of the current government, the process of transparent scrutiny of agencies began, as a result of which more than 50 fake agencies were removed from the list. Similarly, advertisements to dummy newspapers were stopped by checking the newspapers.

Upgradation of District Offices of DGPR

Plans are underway to provide modern communication equipment and vehicles to district and divisional offices to further improve their efficiency.

AI-enabled central media monitoring unit

The Department of Information and Culture Punjab is setting up a modern digital media wing. So that the digital presence of the government can be strengthened and its initiatives can be effectively highlighted on social media platforms. This unit will play a strong role against fake news and misleading information. To provide accurate and timely information to the public.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025