ISLAMABAD  -


The new minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervez Rashid has said that the PML-N government would not hide anything from the masses and there would be complete transparency in running the ministry affairs.
Talking to media persons shortly after his taking oath as federal minister, he acknowledged that there were tremendous difficulties but added that people would appreciate things if they are taken into confidence and they see that national resources are spent judiciously.
To a question, he said that the PML-N government in Punjab got the Access to Information law passed from the provincial assembly and there is no reason the same is not done at the federal level now.
Pervez Rashid also gave assurance that secret fund would not be used for personal or political gains, adding that not a single rupee of the secret fund was utilized in Punjab during the last five years.
He said that heads of public sector corporations would be appointed through a transparent process and strictly on merit from amongst competent people. He said an advertisement for the purpose has already been published inviting applications from Pakistani nationals at home and abroad.
He said a firm of international repute would process these applications and selections would be made from amongst the candidates short-listed by that company. He told a questioner that Maulana Fazlur Rehman has introduced a new political culture, as his talks with PML-N were not based on give and take of ministries but on principles.
Answering another question, the minister said that Radio Pakistan is a national institution and it has its own responsibilities and importance, adding that it was not supposed to be an income earning institution.
Tajik, Uzbek presidents felicitate Nawaz on assuming PM office: Presidents of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have congratulated Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on assumption of the office of Prime Minister.     
In his message, Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, expressed confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sharif, relations between the two countries would make steady progress. President Rahmon also expressed his best wishes for the Prime Minister and the friendly people of Pakistan while assuring his support in efforts to fight against the common threats.
In his separate message to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan also expressed confidence that friendship and cooperation existing between the two countries would continue to grow in the best interest of the two nations. Uzbek President also wished good health and success to Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif.