KARACHI, May 6: Federal Minister for Information and Media Development, Nisar Memon, has said that now when the referendum phase is over, during which President Pervez Musharraf presented himself before the people of Pakistan and obtained their opinion, the second phase is starting with elections to be held in coming October, as well as devolution of power to the provinces and down to the district and Taluka levels.

Speaking to the editors of national and regional dailies, as well as columnists and senior journalists here on Monday, Mr Memon referred to a high-level meeting of the Chief Executive’s devolution committee held in Islamabad, in which it was decided to carry forward the process of devolution with speed.

He pointed out that the main focus of the meeting had been on financial devolution, and in order to accomplish the same, the National Reconstruction Bureau and the Ministry of Finance will work together with all the four provinces and also look into weaknesses wherever they exist.

Nisar Memon told the meeting that the finances provided were not part of the budget, but specially allocated for the period up to June 2002, whereafter the formal allocations will be made.

The information minister said that side by side, the government has also started work on political reforms which, too, would be completed before Oct 2002, along with consolidation of reforms already made, as well as carrying out provincial devolution.

Mr Memon informed that another area in which his ministry will be involved and which had been a matter of discussion with the APNS is the framing of the Press and Registration Law, which was to be completed by May but got delayed due to the referendum.

He said that the ministry has started working on it internally, as it has also received input from the APNS.

As regards the implementation of the Wage Board Award, the minister said that dialogue is on with the APNS, and a solution will certainly be found which is according to the satisfaction of both the owners as well as working journalists.

He said another task before him is to work on the issue of “freedom of information” as is being demanded by the press.

Nisar Memon informed the meeting that the most important assignment with him is the reorganization of his ministry to make it a logical entity.

The minister also sought guidance from the editors as to how to involve the print media with radio and TV.

Similarly, he said, he has also issued instructions to APP to consider itself a national news agency and not a government one.

The agency has been allowed for the first time, although they were never barred, to give coverage to the opposition and political parties which started with the referendum campaign this year.

He said the same change will also take place both on radio and TV and that he was personally monitoring the TV bulletins — both regional and national — on daily basis and issuing instructions.

The minister said that both radio and TV would have gained independence in 1993, had the ordinance which he tailored for the purpose, not made to lapse at that time.

The President himself is committed to freedom of the press, he added. Later, the minister invited suggestions and questions from the participants.

A senior journalist suggested that people should be educated about the devolution plan effectively through TV and that press attaches posted overseas may be picked from the private sector for efficient functioning.

Replying to a question, Nisar Memon said that in his meeting with politicians, some of them called for stoppage of character assassination over the TV, which he accepted.

He said that he had told them to give their programmes for a month or a week. He assured that newsworthy reports will certainly be given coverage.

Referring to the point raised regarding dummy newspapers, the minister said that this matter will be covered when the Press and Registration Law comes into force.

He, however, said that enforcement of the existing law with regard to non-published newspapers will be assured.

When a participant said that the JI has announced to bring white paper on the referendum, the minister retorted that bringing out of any such paper will be encouraged. However, he appealed “let us work together, moving towards democracy.”

He also told a questioner that in a meeting of the CE’s committee on devolution, the issue of the NFC did come under discussion as well as most of the discussion centres on its constitutionality and legality.

As regards the issue of water, the minister said that President Pervez Musharraf has spoken extensively on the issue and he had categorically stated that no injustice will be allowed to be done to any province.—APP