Shibli Faraz praises role of PROs in educating people about protective steps

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz has said that the role of information officers was crucial in spreading awareness about protective steps among the public following the COVID-19 epidemic.

On social media website Twitter, the minister said he talked to public relations officers (PROs) of all ministries through video conferencing and asked them to play this role proactively.

Shibli Faraz said it was crucial to motivate the common public and create awareness among them to adopt effective precautionary steps and social distancing to defeat COVID-19.

He said the protection of public health in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak was a top priority of the government.

ویڈیو کانفرنس کے ذریعے تمام وزارتوں کے پی آراوز سے گفتگو ہوئی۔کرونا وباء کے دوران انفارمیشن افسران کا کردار انتہائی اہم ہے۔عوام کا حوصلہ بڑھانے اور ان میں احتیاطی تدابیر کے مؤثر ہتھیار کو اختیار کرنے کی آگاہی پیدا کرنی ہے۔عوام کی صحت کا تحفظ اولین ترجیح ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/iDdiT1ln0r

— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) May 11, 2020

Earlier, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz had said that media is working freely in the country and the government is taking steps for the betterment of the journalist community.

Talking to a private TV channel, he said the government firmly believes in the fundamental and legal right of freedom of expression, adding that the issues confronted by media could be resolved with joint efforts by government and journalists.

He said, “Today media is not facing those limitations and hardships as in the past.” The federal government will provide all possible facilities for the promotion of independent and responsible journalism, Faraz added. 

He vowed to promote the government policies and to develop Information Ministry on modern lines with full spirit and dedication.

He said the media’s role in the ongoing fight against COVID-19 was appreciable and like doctors and paramedical staff, the media persons were front line soldiers in the war against the epidemic, he added.