Karachi: Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has said that journalism is changing rapidly and is no longer limited to print and electronic media. The Sindh government wants journalism to be developed along modern lines, and all possible cooperation will be extended to the journalist community in this regard.Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon visited the Karachi Press Club to congratulate the newly elected body. Upon arrival at the Press Club, President Fazil Jamili, General Secretary Aslam Khan, and other office bearers and members of the body gave a warm welcome to Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
The newly elected office-bearers of the Karachi Press Club, led by President Fazil Jamili and General Secretary Aslam Khan, met with Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. During the meeting, the Press Club officials thanked the Senior Minister for his visit and apprised him of the problems journalists are facing. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon assured them that these issues would be resolved on a priority basis. Speaking during the meeting and later talking to the media, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Sindh government congratulate the newly elected office bearers of Karachi Press Club. He said that whenever journalists have needed assistance, the Sindh government and the PPP have stood by press freedom, journalist organizations, and journalists.
He said that history bears witness that the PPP and journalists have always stood together in the struggle for democracy, and there remains a strong desire to make joint efforts to secure the present and future of journalists. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government has carried out historic work in every sector. In particular, revolutionary steps have been taken in the health sector, where no patient’s identity card or domicile is required in Sindh hospitals, and treatment worth millions of rupees is being provided completely free of cost. He said that the top priority of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto is a strong public health system, and free treatment is being provided to citizens from all over Pakistan in Sindh’s state-of-the-art hospitals without any discrimination.
Even modern facilities like the Cyber Knife, which are available in only a few countries worldwide, are being provided free of cost in Sindh. He said that revolutionary steps are also being taken for journalists, and after Karachi, similar efforts will be made in other cities of Sindh, including Hyderabad. He said that protecting the rights of journalists is the responsibility of governments, and the PPP has always fought for freedom of expression. Comprehensive planning is being undertaken to secure the future and careers of journalists, regardless of whether there is a PPP government or not. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that for the first time in Pakistan, pink buses have been launched for women, and eco-friendly EV buses have been introduced. Women journalists who submit their driving licenses will be given regular training, and free scooters will be provided to women journalists within ten days.
The Sindh government is also going to start the People’s Bus Service in Tando Allah Yar, Khairpur, and Shikarpur. In response to a question, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that, as the Chief Minister of a province, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be welcomed in Sindh. Sindh is a land of hospitality, and complete security and facilities will be provided while staying within the ambit of the Constitution and the law. However, he clarified that there are strong objections to PTI’s politics, the opening of Taliban offices, and the release of terrorists during the Imran government, the APS tragedy was the darkest incident in world history. Incidents like the Bannu jail break raised many questions. He said that political differences have their place, but hospitality is a tradition of Sindh.
In response to another question, he said the law and order situation in Sindh is better, and the Sindh Police have carried out effective operations in slum areas. In response to another question, he said that all political parties have the right to political activities, and the Sindh government will not stop anyone; however, chaos, hatred, and lawlessness will not be allowed.