ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain on Tuesday said that the government has decided to form a high-level committee, comprising religious scholars, intellectuals and civil society representatives, to examine issues trending on social media and guide the government on the matters for formation of policies.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad after a meeting of the federal cabinet, Fawad said the cabinet held a discussion on the recent violent incidents against women and “while addressing the session, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that incidents like the one at Minar-i-Pakistan are very concerning for every segment of the society.”
The minister said the government has decided to hold a grand debate where people from different sectors will be invited to have a discussion on social media trends so we can have some guidance on where we want to go and what regulations should be brought.
TTP IN DISARRAY:
Talking about the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Fawad said that the group is in disarray after stoppage of Indian funding. “We should be satisfied to know with regards to the TTP that for the first time the process of Indian funding [to them] — which had been going on for a long time — has ended and at this time they are in disarray,” he said.
About TTP’s actions inside Pakistan, he said Islamabad possesses the capability to overcome such challenges. “These internal challenges are not a problem for us. Our [belief] is that once they stop having a funding stream from abroad then it will be a big blow for them and the rest we will handle ourselves,” he added.
AFGHANISTAN SITUATION:
Talking about the situation in Afghanistan, Fawad said that the announcement by Taliban that Afghanistan would not be used for terrorism against any country is a very “positive” one. “We think Taliban will act on this. [….] Pakistan’s top terrorists from the BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) and TTP are sitting in Afghanistan and we want them. We hope we will have cooperation from Afghanistan on this. Inside the country we will look at these matters ourselves,” he said.
He said that Islamabad is continuing its contacts with Afghanistan authorities and foreign countries. “We have close contact with Turkey, China and other countries […] so on one hand we are continuing our contact with Afghan authorities and on the other, with foreign countries,” he said.
He said the cabinet has stated that “India should stay clear of interference in Afghanistan. India has no border with Afghanistan.”
He said India had used Afghanistan’s land against Pakistan and “at this time too we are seeing a continuous effort visible on Indian media that the Afghan peace process is sabotaged.”
About evacuations from the neighbouring country, he said, “Over 3,400 people have been evacuated through airplanes, [while] around 19,000 have come through the borders so Pakistan is one of the primary stakeholders in this whole process and we are trying to create this environment so that the people stranded in Kabul can be evacuated.”
MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BILL:
Earlier in the day, Fawad said that no compromise will be made on the clauses of Media Development Authority (MDA) bill regarding fake news and the rights of journalists.
Talking to the office bearers of various journalists’ bodies including Fourth Pillar International, Pakistan Federal Union of the Journalists (Professional) and Young Journalist Association in Islamabad, he however said the government will welcome suggestions on the remaining clauses of the proposed bill.
The information minister said laws of five countries were studied for the establishment of the Media Development Authority. He said this authority will have two departments of Media Complaints Commission and Media Tribunal. He added there should be no control of government on these departments and an independent commission will be establishment for recruitment in them.
The information minister said the government has made payments of seven hundred million rupees to the media houses but they are still not paying salaries to their workers.
He said it is the first time that the government has earmarked funds for Digital Media.
On the occasion, the journalists’ bodies said they decided to approach Competition Commission of Pakistan against the ongoing media campaign on Pakistan Media Development Authority.
They clarified that all the bodies representing the journalists have not rejected the proposed bill for establishment of Pakistan Media Development Authority. He said some bodies could not be allowed to protect the interests of media owners.
The office bearers of the journalists’ bodies said the PTI is the first government which has taken steps for the protection of rights of media workers.
