50% Cut In Power Outages Step Towards Load-shedding Free

ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 08th Nov, 2016 ) : Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb Tuesday said the Prime Minister's announcement of 50 per cent reduction in power outages was a step towards a load-shedding free Pakistan.

During her visit to various tv news channels and media houses here, she said ridding the country of load-shedding was part of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) manifesto. The people of Pakistan celebrated that achievement as they were facing long hours of power breakdowns for several years, she added.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government was taking measures to improve the lives of the people and load-shedding free Pakistan was one of those steps. She said when the PML-N came to power in 2013, the country was facing multiple crises, but now after three years Pakistan was far better off.

She said incidents of terrorism had registered 85 per cent decrease, which was an achievement in itself. The economy had been revived and foreign reserves were touching new highs, she added. She said China Pakistan Economic Corridor was being termed a game-changer not only for Pakistan but also for the entire region.

To a question about the committee constituted to investigate news story on national security, she said that it was led by a retired judge having high integrity and all its members were nominated as per rules.

She said the government's Health Insurance Scheme and educational reforms were benefitting the common people. Through the Health Insurance Scheme, medical facilities were being provided to the poor at their doorsteps, she added.

To another question about media coverage of cases in the courts, she said it was unfortunate that people in talk shows sometimes discussed the sub judice cases like they themselves were judges.

Marriyum said democratic institutions were evolving in the country and continuity was imperative for success of the political system.

She said freedom of speech was reflection of an elevated society but using it with integrity reflected a civilized society.

She said security and safety of the media houses was top priority of the government and required legislation was being done in that regard. The minister said the government enjoyed the trust of the people as it came to power through the ballet and the perception of its weakness was incorrect.

She said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reposed confidence in her and she would do her best to come up to his expectations. She said there were challenges ahead and her ministry had its own dynamics, but she would deliver with the guidance of senior cabinet colleagues.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the prime minister had tasked her to facilitate media professionals and ensure free flow of information. She said steps would be taken for the capacity building of media professionals.

She appealed to the media to follow a self-accountability mechanism as their regulation through law was not the government's priority. She said Pakistan had achieved the target of women empowerment in Millinium Development Goals (MDGs) and women now had full support of the family and society.

To a question, she said the world wanted to work with a matured leader like Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who had been elected for the third time. She said all political forces should learn from the prime minister, who had shown great patience and maturity.

She said time had come to shun the politics of indecency and adopt the culture of civilized politics. She said there was difference between a court and a container. In the courts proofs had to be presented, she added.

The prime minister, she said, presented himself for accountability which showed his integrity and honesty. The minister visited various sections of the television news channels and media houses, and had informal chat with media persons.