KARACHI, May 21: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that media can play a significant role in the uplift of a nation and urged journalists to keep national interest supreme. Speaking at the launching ceremony of a private TV channel ‘Aaj’ here on Saturday, he said media was free to operate in the country. “However, our national interest must come first,” he said.

The prime minister said that the country has creative and innovative potential and the government was making all out efforts to open the doors of opportunities for the people of the country. He said it was the desire of the present government to improve the living standard of the people. “In order to achieve this goal, we have to work both individually and collectively,” Mr Aziz said.

Earlier, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the government has issued licenses to 15 new TV channels in the country, while 22 applications were in the pipeline. He asked print and electronic media to discharge their duties professionally and always keep in view the interest of the country.—PPI