Jamali urges media to adopt 'self-accountability' policy

05 Apr, 2004

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali referring to press freedom being used by the media has emphasised the need to exercise it with due responsibility, care and tolerance.
In his interview to a monthly magazine "Waqt" the Prime Minister said that the present government has given extra-ordinary freedom to media, including print and electronic, therefore, everyone saying what he feels.
The Prime Minister said there is always a room for improvement in every department and this rule is also applicable to media.
He said the media should adopt the policy of "self-accountability" and check its role, so that it should be in favour of national interest and solidarity of the country.
Referring to the responsibility of the media, the Prime Minister said it is not suitable that government alone would take notice of every news and writing.
He said the government has constituted committees at different levels which also included representatives from press to promote positive and constructive role of the media.
Answering a question about political scenario the Prime Minister said it is the policy of the government that there should be mutual co-ordination among all the political segments to have consensus on all national issues.
Referring to the issue of Legal Framework Order (LFO), the Prime Minister said this difficult issue was also resolved through dialogue with opposition and hoped that all other issues would be settled through the same process of dialogue and added that it has developed a political stability in the country.
Commenting on the speculations about any mid-term elections, the Prime Minister said, such suppositions are baseless.
He said President General Pervez Musharraf has repeatedly clarified that the assemblies will complete their tenure, therefore, there should be no doubt in this regard.
Zafarullah Khan Jamali said the most important thing is national interest and benefit of people, therefore, keeping in view these priorities, government always tried its best to achieve consensus on all issues with the politicians.
Replying to a question of performance of bureaucracy and government officials, the Prime Minister said the government institutions and employees have become 'machine tools' and do not care much to resolve the problems of the people.
He said all the government servants have to give extra time to revive their confidence and to resolve problems of the people.

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