Firdous urges Punjab govt to expose elements involved in killing innocent people
Talking to media in PEMRA headquarters, she called upon Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif and the PML-N leadership to take stern action against those involved in death of around hundred heart patients.
The Punjab government should not play politics on this sad incident rather take prompt action against the responsible, she said. Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said, "the federal government and PPP leadership in Punjab are ready to extend all out assistance to Punjab government for exposing elements involved in the business of counterfeit drugs."
The minister said it is unfortunate that Punjab government is trying to escape its duties by shifting responsibility to the federal government.
Although after passage of 18th amendments health has become a provincial subject and the federal government is now only responsible for registering the medicine companies, she stated. "It is responsibility of the provinces to check the quality and ingredients of the drugs before purchase."
The minister said Punjab has around 500 Drug Inspectors and it is responsibly of the provincial government to check and monitor the standard of the medicines.
Firdous Ashiq said in presence of independent media no one can cheat and misguide the people and noted that nominating the provincial Health Minister as 'one man show' was badly affecting good governance.
"Suspension of the Medical Superintendent (MS) is not the solution of the problem" she remarked.
She said under the directions of federal government, Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) is also probing the issue and its findings will be made public.
The Minister said National Assembly Standing Committee on Information has recommended to ban private TV channels showing Indian culture and working against the interest of the country. "Such channels have been given one month's time and if they fail to comply the directions, PEMRA will crackdown against them", she said.
She urged the electronic media to promote the country's social and religions values and added, the government is also planning to introduce digitalization policy to improve the quality of channels.
She said all the stakeholders will be taken on board on the issue and their recommendations would be presented to the Cabinet for final approval. The citizens should also support the government in its efforts to protect and promote country's socio-religious culture.
The minister said the committee has recommended that private TV channels should be asked to ensure payment of salaries to supporting staff.
The committee, she added, has observed that print media has a mechanism to rebut false news items, whereas TV channels lack this mechanism. It has also recommended that all the private TV channels should keep national interest supreme.
She said the government fully believes in the independence of media and freedom of speech.
To a question the minister said Pakistan and China have deep-rooted and generations old ties.
To another question she said there is no confrontation among the institutions and every state organs is working within its constitutional domain. She said only people of the country have right to bring any change through the power of vote.
About Ijaz Mansoor, she said, the government would facilitate his arrival as he has been summoned by the Commission. However, she said, he has to answer the questions of people of Pakistan.