DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali his said that media colony will be established for journalists of Dera Ismail Khan as three sites have been identified for the purpose.

Addressing a ceremony at Dera Press Club (DPC) on Wednesday, he said that a site would be selected for media colony in the coming weeks after consultation with ministers for agriculture and information. He urged journalists to play their role for development of the country.

The ceremony was attended by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leader Maulana Ubaidur Rehman, Commissioner Zafarul Islam, Regional Police Officer Nasir Mehmood Satti, former provincial minister Haleem Qasuria, Gomal University acting vice-chancellor Dr Shakibullah, lawyers and traders.

A number of journalists also boycotted the event as they were denied membership of the press club.

The governor said the journalists were ‘eyes and ears’ of the society and they not only interpreted public aspirations but also played an important role in moulding public opinion. He said the journalists should promote a positive image of the country. “We should stand with our state and its institutions,” he added.

He said all citizens should fulfil their responsibilities for social development, peace and prosperity. He added that journalists should create awareness among people and motivate youth for research and businesses.

Mr Ali said that after assuming charge of his office, he held meetings with administrations of all universities of the province. He said that steps were being taken to make all universities self-reliant.

He said the issues of Gomal University would also be resolved as it was the second largest seat of higher education in the province after University of Peshawar. He said that universities should focus on research and impart technical training to youth so that they could become useful citizens of the society.

DPC president Yasin Qureshi welcomed the governor and demanded mobile phones and laptops for the members of the press club. He also demanded establishment of a media colony for local journalists.

The governor said the land earlier selected for media colony was not approved by agriculture department. He said that three other locations were identified for the purpose. He said that site for colony would be selected within coming weeks after consultation with provincial ministers for agriculture and information.

DPC President Yasin Qureshi also presented a shield to the governor. The governor presented shields to Commissioner Zafarul Islam, RPO Nasir Mehmood Satti, Dr Shakibullah, district attorney general Farhad, bomb disposal squad head Inayatullah, High Court Bar Association president Hidayat Malana, District Bar Association president Irfan and Mehsud Press Club president Ishtiaq Mehsud.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2023