Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said that the construction work of Kalabagh Dam would be started this year, adding that is a project of national importance and with its construction a new era of development will usher in the country. He stated this while addressing the inaugurating ceremony of Radio Pakistan (Mianwali Station) here on Sunday.
He said 50 more radio stations will be established in the far-flung areas of the country and Mianwali station was a part of it. He said a TV station will also be set up at Mianwali in near future.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said our country has a unique position in comity of Islamic world but opinion of majority countries is not so in favour of us as we use bombs in religious seminaries. He said incidents like Mukhtaran Mai and Dr Shazia Abid occur in our country creating bad impression against us which we would have to rectify.
"I am an Information Minister and was also during the past but I am now a more free Information Minister as compare to earlier and this is due to courage bestowed me by the President General Musharraf; otherwise I had to think many times before to speak next day", he added.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afghan Khan and Tehsil Nazim Mianwali were present on this occasion while no dignitary belonging to Rokharri group including District Nazim Humair Hayat Khan Rokharri and Provincial Minister for Revenue Gul Hameed Rokharri was invited to participate in the ceremony
Meanwhile addressing the members of the Mianwali Press Club, Sheikh Rashid said the economy is moving towards right direction and the government has presented a budget, which would provide relief to all segments of the society particularly the common man.
He said the government is laying special attention on the uplift of under-developed and remote areas. He said the government is committed to eliminate the extremism and promote harmony and moderation for rapid socio-economic development.
He said unprecedented freedom has been given to the press and the government has allowed TV channels in private sector. He said thirty seven more licenses to operate TV channels would shortly be issued.