The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, on Tuesday said that the incumbent government is not afraid of any grand opposition. Talking to journalists here after addressing a seminar on 'Media Exchange Programme', organised by Saarc Information Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, she said that the government is not afraid of grand opposition because it enjoys the support of the masses.
Firdous said that recent AJK elections were eye-opener for the opposition, adding that the people of AJK had extended their full confidence in the PPP-led government. She said that the masses always chose PPP when they were given the right of franchise. History will witness itself that so-called alliances were made to stop the way of PPP, but all those alliances failed as PPP has its roots in masses, she added.
Regarding PML-N leadership meeting with MQM, she said that if the two parties would sit together and talk about betterment of the country, her party would welcome such a move. She said that meetings of the political leaders were a good omen for democracy as dialogue is an important component of democratic culture. She said politicians should meet each other, and added that this strengthens democracy. She said all political parties should finalise the priorities of democracy by sitting together.
She said July 5 is the black day, adding that if the political forces held talks to resolve the issues there would have been no room for dictatorship. "I will give message to all democrats to resolve their issues through dialogue to avert confrontation", she said, adding that confrontation has already harmed the country.
She said that the matter of DG FIA Zafar Qureshi is in the court, and declined to comment on the issue. She said since the issue of National Investment Corporation Limited (NICL) was sub judice, she would not comment on the issue. She said, "We have pinned lot of hopes on courts for justice," adding that "politicians also knock at the courts' doors for justice."
About Shamsi Airbase, she said that the government has not allowed using the base for any purpose. She said present government was trying to re-engage the international allies keeping in view the national interests and guidelines given in the unanimous Parliamentary resolution. She said as the matter was related to the Ministry of Defence, Ahmed Mukhtar was a better person to reply such queries.
Earlier, addressing the seminar as chief guest, she said that media exchange seminar will foster regional co-operation and harmony among the member states. She urged the Saarc states to pool resources in both manpower and materials to bring tremendous progress in various fields. She added that collective strength to deal with common problems in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding has yielded several positions.
She said in this media age, media has become a great power. She noted that in South Asia there was bad governance and asked the media to focus on regional issues. "It's regional phenomenon, and we have to evolve regional strategy to fight against war on terrorism," she added.
She said that it is the role of media that how to convert one challenge into opportunity. She further said Saarc can be very important forum for highlighting soft image of the region. She assured of her support in contributing cultural activities and exchange programmes. Delegates from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka are participating in the two-day seminar.
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