Federal Minister for Water and Power Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has urged upon the photo journalists to use their professional skills for effectively highlighting problems of the masses.
Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected cabinet of Photo Journalists Association of Peshawar here on Sunday, Aftab Sherpao said, "pictures have very vital role in journalism and no newspaper or magazine is considered as complete without photos."
"In present age of media development, importance of a photo journalist is increased many fold," he observed.
Therefore, he continued, the photo journalists should learn modern techniques for proper performance of their duties.
He said: "Journalism is service of nation and photo journalists are also performing service of masses by highlighting their problems."
In fact, he added, "the job of a photo journalist is much difficult because in some cases photographers have to risk their lives for capturing the incident on camera."
Sherpao also offered sponsoring of an exhibition of photos of Peshawar-based photo journalists in Peshawar or Islamabad.
In the said exhibition, he said, photos depicting problems of the province should be displayed.
Referring to speeches made by leaders of different political parties at the ceremony, Sherpao said, "after adoption of positive attitude by the opposition in the National Assembly, people's problems are properly highlighted in the Assembly."
"It is a good sign," Sherpao said, that "the opposition members are now actively participating in assembly proceedings and raising the problems of their respective areas."
He also appreciated the performance of the present government and said that foreign exchange reserves of the country have crossed the figure of 10 billion dollars. Similarly, he continued the budget deficit has been reduced to 4.6 percent.
Responding to the demands presented in the welcome address, Aftab Sherpao held out an assurance that journalists from the NWFP would also be accompanied in foreign visits of the prime minister and other dignitaries.
He also assured the journalists that they would get their due share in government housing schemes.
Later, the federal minister also condemned in strong words attempt on the life of senior journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai. He demanded of the provincial government to hold a judicial inquiry into the incident.
Earlier, Aftab Sherpao administered oath to the new cabinet and distributed awards among the distinguished photo journalists.
On this occasion, MPA Ms Nighat Orakzai and prominent businessman Haji Halim Jan announced Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 grant for the Photo Journalists Association.
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