December 01, 2006	Friday	Ziqa'ad 9, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday accused the government of hiring a foreign firm for “image-building” before the next general elections and the contract had been awarded for Rs1.5 billion.

Speaking at a news conference, PML-N Senator Ishaq Dar said the nation had the right to know about the terms of the contract and the reason for selecting a foreign firm for this purpose. PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal and president of the party’s Human Rights Wing Barrister Zafarullah Khan were also present.Senator Dar refused to divulge the name of the foreign firm and said the nation should be informed whether this firm would work for image-building of the government or the country or a political party or a person.

He said if it was for improving the country's image, then there was no need for spending a huge amount for this purpose and hiring a foreign firm as the Pakistani media could do it in a better way.

On the other hand, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem, when contacted, denied that the government had hired any foreign firm for image-building purposes. The minister, however, said a committee had already been functioning in the ministry under “Pakistan Image Project” for the last one year and it had been given the task of improving the country's image. Mr Azeem said that he himself was heading the committee.

Responding to a question, the minister said the committee was taking several steps to improve the image of the country abroad.

He said under the project, short documentaries on Pakistan were being prepared which were being shown on foreign channels.

The minister said it was sad that a person like Senator Ishaq Dar, who had served the country as finance minister, had levelled such a false allegation.

He said it was even the responsibility of Senator Dar, being a Pakistani, to work for improvement of the country’s image at the international level.

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