ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his government’s firm determination to support all efforts that promote and uphold the shining principles of freedom of expression and free media. Referring to the murder of senior Journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, he said he has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a commission to investigate the murder and hoped some action will be taken in this regard.
Addressing an event organized by Islamabad Journalist Safety Forum on the theme of the UN ten years Plan of Action here on Tuesday, he said his government believes that the freedom of expression is sacrosanct and will remain at the heart of development of democracy.
The Prime Minister said his government would be part of efforts aimed at making Pakistani democracy stronger through greater free media, adding that democracy and media reinforce each other and there can be no democracy without freedom of expression.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan became the first country in Asia to pass legislation on the Safety of Journalists at the federal and the provincial level in Sindh province.
He said his government would continue to support the ongoing efforts in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to legislate on safety of journalists.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said the parliament passed a landmark Protection of Journalists and Media Professional Acts after thorough consultations with all the stakeholders. He said this act recognized the rights of journalists and seeks to protect media persons from all kinds of ill treatment and aggression. He assured the full implementation of this legislation.
