ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib has forwarded a letter to chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Javed Latif, seeking an end to what he termed as “misleading propaganda” against the proposed media development authority.

According to the letter “frivolous and contradictory” statements about the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) should be discussed in the meeting of the standing committee scheduled to be held on Thursday (today).

“It is with great concern that you are informed that the leader of the opposition in his press conference has rejected the proposed framework of the PMDA without reading it and without considering its details,” Mr Habib said, adding that the concept and framework for drafting the PDMA Bill was currently in the process of consultation with partners, and the same issue was to be discussed in the meeting of the NA Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting.

“You are committed to a meaningful discussion on the proposed framework of the Pakistan Media Development Authority,” the minister said in the letter, adding, “On the contrary, your position and authority have been damaged by your party leader.”

The letter went on to say that statements by the leader of the opposition have created a one-sided impression on the issue, which was against parliamentary oversight and democratic principles and traditions.

Mr Habib has asked chairperson of the committee to clarify his position over the subject before taking further action on this proposed bill.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2021