PESHAWAR
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was introducing Journalists Protection Bill to ensure the protection the rights of journalists community and media professionals in the province.
He said that work on the proposed legislation was underway and the provincial government has decided to invite media representatives for their input on the Journalists Protection Bill.
He expressed these views during a meeting with the delegation of Pakistan Journalists Safety Coalition Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter led by Freedom Network Chief Executive Iqbal Khattak in his office.
Secretary Information Zakaullah Khattak, Director General Information Department Imdadullah, Presidents of Peshawar Press Club and Khyber Union of Journalists, representatives of Mission on Status of Women, senior journalists and other senior officials were also present on this occasion.
Chairperson Pakistan Journalists Safety Coalition (PJSC) Saifullah Islam Safi briefed the participants on the Journalists Protection Bill and informed them about the legislation being made in this context in the federal and other provinces and the federal style legislation in KP.
The delegation appreciated the good relationship of the provincial government with media professionals and journalists and journalistic institutions.
Initiative of the provincial government to give annual grants to press clubs and journalists’ unions were commendable, the delegation added.
The delegation welcomed the establishment of media housing colonies and societies for the journalists of the province.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that the provincial government was taking steps to protect journalists of the province and work on the Protection Draft Bill was in progress and soon it will be tabled on the floor of the assembly.
In this regard, the suggestions of the journalist community will be given importance and it will be made a part of the bill.
Special Assistant Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif directed the Information department to speed up the preparation of the proposed law.
