ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take measures for payment of arrears to the print and electronic media before Eid.

Chairing a meeting held here to discuss the payment of dues to print and electronic media, the prime minister asked the Information Ministry to hold consultation with the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) on the subject.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, SAPM on Media Affairs Yousuf Baig Mirza, Punjab Minister for Information Syed Sumsam Ali Bukhari, Senator Faisal Javed and Secretary to PM, a PM Office statement said.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan apprised the prime minister on the issues pertaining to the media industry. The meeting also discussed in details the matters related to the PBA and APNS.

The prime minister directed Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan to personally monitor the process.

He said the government fully believed in the constitutional and fundamental right to freedom of speech. The promotion of free and responsible journalism was inevitable for strengthening democracy, he added.

The prime minister said the government was fully alive to the people associated with the media industry and the resolution of their issues was its priority.

The prime minister also asked the information ministry to highlight the government’s reforms agenda through media.