ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Monday said constructive criticism from the media would help the government in improving its performance.

Talking to a private TV channel, he urged the media to play a positive and neutral role.

Kaira said media had played a constructive role for the restoration of democracy, war against terrorism and in educating people by highlighting issues.

However, he urged the media to tell the viewers both sides of the story.

To a question, Kaira said PPP is supportive of freedom of the media.

‘The government had never imposed any restriction on media,’ he added.

The Minister said political institutions and media are growing in strength. He was of the view that television programmes should debate policies instead of discussing personalities. He asked the media to develop its own code of conduct.

He said after taking over charge as minister, he had directed state-run PTV to arrange programmes with an open mindset and also highlight the government’s shortcomings.

He said he had sought the support of senior media persons for making PTV a vibrant institution.

Replying to a question he said the Prime Minister and the cabinet ministers had time and again clarified that Blackwater is not operating on Pakistan's soil, but the media has still to believe what the government is saying.

To another question, he said during an Iftar dinner with journalists, President Asif Ali Zardari did not say that any deal was struck with former president Pervez Musharraf.

He said, rather the President said that the government along with other political forces had sent Musharraf home.

‘The government did not sign any deal with Musharraf,’ he added.