ISLAMABAD - Pledging to ensure security to media persons working in Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that a commission to come up with recommendations for journalists’ protection would be constituted shortly.
Premier Sharif was talking to a four-member Council for Protection of Journalists delegation led by its executive member Kati Marton, who is also the widow of US diplomat Richard Holbrooke, here at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister said that journalists are a vibrant part of the society and provision of safe and secure environment to them is government’s responsibility.
He said that in order to provide more secure environment to the media persons, we are establishing a commission of media persons, public figures and government members which will propose measures to be adopted by the government to protect journalists in the field and ensure their well-being.
The PM said, “I want to make Pakistan a journalists’ friendly country where local as well as international media feel safe and secure during their professional assignments”.
The Prime Minister said that the proposed commission would also suggest ways and means to effectively monitor prosecution of crimes against journalists.
The Premier lauded the role of Pakistani media in strengthening democratic institutions and restoration of judiciary. He assured that the government is trying its best to ensure that the criminals and terrorists accused of killing journalists would be arrested and brought to justice.
The Prime Minister also praised late Richard Holbrook for his role as peacemaker in Bosnia and also called him a friend of Pakistan.
Kati Marton appreciated Prime Minister’s resolve towards strengthening the democratic institutions in Pakistan. She also appreciated PM’s role in pursuing Wali Khan Baber’s case, which resulted in conviction of his killers and has given a strong message to the international community about rule of law in Pakistan.