August 31, 2008	Sunday	Sha'aban 28, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 30: Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman has said that the PPP-PML-N coalition is working well not only in Punjab but also exists to some extent at the federal level.

Talking to journalists at the Jinnah Convention Centre on Saturday, the minister said that reports about withdrawal of PPP’s ministers from the Punjab government were mere speculations.

Important decisions such as quitting the Punjab cabinet would be taken by the leadership of the party, she said, adding that it was the PPP which had not only formed a government of consensus but also promoted politics of reconciliation.

Ms Rehman rejected reports that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari would withdraw from the presidential election at the last moment. “He is a symbol of federation and a person who through his wisdom has helped formed governments at the provincial and federal levels,” she said.

The minister said that the PPP had a clear majority in the electoral college for the presidential election.

Ms Rehman said the PPP government believed in free media and had abolished all black laws hindering freedom of the press. “We think we are facilitator, not regulator, and this is not our strategy and motto to impose unnecessary restrictions on the media,” she added.

As far as the issue of banned organisations is concerned, she said, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had issued a circular asking media groups not to project the banned organisations.

Answering a question regarding delay in the investigation into Benazir Bhutto’s assassination by the United Nations, she said the UN had its own process and it was working on the case.

APP adds: Earlier, addressing the First International Conference on Psychotrauma entitled “Media and Terrorism,” the minister said the government as the primary guarantor of public and national security was forging a partnership with media to protect people against the onslaught of terrorism, which was wreaking havoc with their lives, minds and spirits.

At the same time, in pursuit of stated policy of ensuring media freedom multiple efforts were being undertaken to facilitate the growth of an independent and self-regulating media that was free to carry out its due professional role, she said.

“We are living in a world today where crime has become borderless, global economic shocks are creating ripple-effects for local prices and incomes; and security of life and property has become vulnerable. Thus, we are witnessing the globalisation of crisis and a resultant public trauma,” she added.