February 15, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 16, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has asked the state-run radio and television to improve professionally and technically to meet the challenges of globalization and to portray a true image of Pakistan.

In a meeting with the hierarchy of the ministry of information and broadcasting here on Tuesday, he impressed that media today played a powerful role in setting trends, creating images, forming perceptions and changing attitudes.

“PTV and PBC will be reinvigorated and transformed into vibrant organizations with emphasis on upgradation of technology, induction of qualified professionals and redisgning of the programme content,” an official press release quoted the premier as telling the ministry’s managers.

Mr Aziz asked them to take steps for “complete restructuring and modernization” of the PTV and PBC, the state-run television and broadcasting corporations.

At the same time, he appreciated that the ministry had so far “done a credible job despite its limited resources and the difficult circumstances facing it”.

It should however prepare to meet the emerging challenges of globalization and proliferation of media and to compete with private channels “effectively”, he said.

The prime minister asked the ministry to expedite the setting up of Media City in Islamabad and promised to provide the necessary resources for it. “The government is encouraging open media and by providing necessary infrastructure, the Media City will facilitate electronic media,” he observed.

While discussing the projection and image-building of Pakistan abroad, he said the ministry of information should have its presence in all the major capitals and, if required, more press sections may be set up.

The prime minister also reviewed the performance of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the establishment of Press Council, implementation status of the e-government technology and the establishment of a National University of Media Sciences.

He asked the ministry to look into the possibility of affiliating the proposed university with an existing reputable university.

Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister of State for Information Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli and senior officials of the ministry attended the meeting.