Govt to fully cooperate with judiciary: Kaira

ISLAMABAD - Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira Wednesday said that the government would fully cooperate with the judiciary for implementing its decisions. "The judiciary cannot resolve all issues rather could give a guideline to the government. Regarding legislation and the implementation of judicial verdicts, we assure the judiciary of government's undiluted support and all the state institutions will respect the decisions of the courts of law", he further said during his visit to Nawa-i-Waqt, The Nation offices. The Minister said that Pakistan Peoples Party following its tradition would continue safeguarding the freedom of media in the country. "Media in the country is free and should remain free as it has been the policy of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the past and the party would also ensure freedom of media in future", he added. He said that the government had constituted Press Council and the nomination of its 12 members was underway. "We are two sides of the same coin. One is the government while the other is media", he noted, adding that he was visiting journalists' community to take input from it. Kaira said that the media had to look its matters itself and the government did not want to regulate it and would never try to do so. He said that PPP had always supported free media and freedom of expression and would keep on ensuring it. The Minister said that both the media and government had to jointly give awareness to the masses on all issues and play a constructive role in making the country strong and stable. "We do not have any complaints with the media. We had never supported regulation for media nor would do so. Credibility of media is very laudable but it is the media that should follow self-imposed code of conduct and remove the imbalance if there is any," he added. The Minister said that the speculations should not be presented as news. Responding to a question, he appreciated the reconciliatory approach of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and said on the same day when he announced restoration of judges he invited PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif to jointly work for CoD implementation. "We want to defuse political tension in the country and taking practical steps to develop an atmosphere of reconciliation in Pakistan", he added. He said by and large, political forces had confidence in the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and its implementation was the solution to problems. The Minister said President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and party members aspired to promote reconciliation and wanted to end politics of confrontation. To another question, Qamar Zaman Kaira said President Zardari at a farewell dinner to the former Chief Justice had clearly stated that as a common man or as a President he would bow down before judiciary. "This shows recognition of supremacy of judiciary", he added. The Minister said that in view of growing media requirements, Ministry of Information was in the process of preparing a programme to provide training to the working journalists. He said the programme would be a regular feature and help enhance the professional skills of media persons working in conflict zones and other areas.

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