ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said the government holds media in high esteem, reiterating that it had no intentions to come in the way of the Press and would like that the media continued to enjoy the freedom in future also, said an official statement.

Speaking at a dinner he hosted in honour of senior editors and journalists on Thursday at the Prime Minister House, he urged them to refrain from speculative stories, saying that Pakistani mediamen should read foreign news reports carefully before drawing any conclusion.

On the scientists' issue, the prime minister said the government had dealt with the issue purely in the larger national interest. "Pakistan has shown responsibility in investigating the nuclear leakage issue candidly," added the prime minister.

He reaffirmed that the country's nuclear assets were totally secure and impressed upon politicians not to exploit the issue. Mr Jamali categorically said: "We are a sovereign country and will take decisions on all national issues independently."

Regarding the Kashmir issue, the prime minister said Pakistan was trying to build good relations with India and would try to solve the problem according to the wishes of Kashmiris.

Mr Jamali also stressed the media to project the true image of Pakistan in the world. Regarding democracy, he said: "We want parliament to work smoothly to sustain democracy."

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, senior columnists, editors, office-bearers of the APNS and CPNE, and senior government officials attended the dinner.