May 01, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1429

KARACHI, April 30: Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marri has appreciated the media for discharging its duty of highlighting social issues and raising the issues of the oppressed people despite all odds over the past nine years, and said that the Pakistan People’s Party and its allies in Sindh would do their best to ensure the freedom of speech and mitigate the sufferings of professionals associated with the media.

Speaking at the Karachi Press Club during her visit on Wednesday, she said that press freedom was vital for strengthening democracy and democratic institutions in the country.

She called for more interaction between the media and the information department, and suggested establishment of institutions of high standards where media people and the newcomers in the field could organise workshops, seminars, discussions, etc to learn and share their experiences.

The minister was apprised of the longstanding issue of the transfer of the club’s premises in its name, besides the matters of the KPC’s grant and plots for of its staff and new members. She said the government would take measures to resolve the issue at the earliest.