F.P. Report
KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the dictatorial thinking always looks for an opportunity to derail the democracy in Pakistan and the same approach is always ready to gag the freedom of the press.
In his message issued from Media Cell Bilawal House on the World Press Freedom Day being observed on May 3 across the globe, Chairman PPP said that restrictions on freedom of media weaken democracy and also cause disharmony and chaos in the society.
“For strengthening and stability of democracy in the country, the natural alliance between PPP and journalism has always been evergreen and strong. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari during their tenures abolished the draconian laws imposed on the press by the dictators and gave full freedom to the press,” he pointed out.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that despite PPP and its leadership being subjected to the worst media trials, they have never been a victim of expediency regarding freedom of expression and press, adding that the Party, whether in the government or in the opposition, has always taken a firm stand regarding the freedom of the press and the protection and rights of journalists. “We believe in further expansion and consistent implementation of the Right to Information laws,” he added.
Chairman PPP reiterated his commitment that his party will continue to play its leadership role in protecting media freedom and journalists’ rights in Pakistan, and continue taking every possible step to create an ideal environment for press freedom in the country by promoting the media literacy among the people.
In his message, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned India’s restrictions on press in Occupied Kashmir and emphasized that the international community, including journalist bodies, organizations and individuals working for the right to freedom of expression, must play their role against brutality being carried out against journalists in the occupied valley. “Every year one day should be observed as solidarity with the journalists of Occupied Kashmir,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that rains have started pouring in Pakistan even from April due to changes in weather cycle induced by the climate crisis created by rich countries as a result poor nations are forced to suffer catastrophic and unimagined losses. The PPP Chairman further said that at present there is a flood situation in the rivers and canals of different areas of the country, especially Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Curbs on freedom of media weaken democracy: FM
