Senate Standing committing on defence Friday stressed on the strengthening of media cell of the ministry to an advance level as it works as the ministry's branding. The committee recommended enhancing the media strategy in order to keep the general public updated regarding defence matters.
The committee under the chairmanship of Senator Walid Iqbal expressed its resolve and solidarity with the armed forces of the country which are protecting the lives and safety of citizens from internal and external threats. The committee also offered fateha for the departed souls of the army personnel and civilians.
The committee was given a detailed and comprehensive briefing on the role and functions of the ministry and its attached departments with the organisational structure and work ambit of the ministry was explicated upon. The Committee observed that the present situation calls for discussion on the impact of deteriorating economic and exchange rate situation on our defence requirements under the prevailing circumstances. The Committee members while discussing the core areas of the ministry stressed upon strengthening the media cell of the ministry so that it becomes the face of the defence narrative, the importance of branding the ministry.
The ministry told the committee that the national security policy and national defence policy is regularly reviewed and updated.
The members however, called for taking the Parliament on board while these documents are being prepared. The importance and need for a comparative regional analysis of the ministries of defence and their work functions was also discussed.
Regarding the reinstatement of five persons in Survey of Pakistan moved by Senator Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini, the Committee was told by the mover that originally 23 people were removed from their employment and 18 have been reinstated since the matter was taken up and the remaining five should also be done so. The ministry told the Committee about the issue in detail and said the selection criteria was relaxed and trainings were imparted three times but even after these attempts these five people comprising four people from Balochistan and one from Punjab did not meet the criteria and hence were not given the job. The ministry agreed to give the five people another chance and if they do not meet the criteria, they will not be given another chance. The Committee disposed of the matter on satisfaction of the committee and the mover.