Federal govt moving to boost press club support, lift PTI-era restrictions: Mubashir Hassan

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE: Acting on the directions of the prime minister and the federal minister for information and broadcasting, Principal Information Officer Mubashir Hassan and Director General Press Information Department (PID) Lahore Shafqat Abbas held a detailed meeting with Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari and other office-bearers on Monday.

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During the meeting, Arshad Ansari briefed the participants on the issues faced by journalists and media workers, with a particular focus on health insurance. He urged the federal government to resolve journalists’ long-standing problems on a priority basis and expressed concern over the delay in the appointment of the chairperson of the ITNE, calling for the process to be completed at the earliest.

Mubashir Hassan informed the meeting that the appointment of the ITNE chairperson was in its final stages. He said the federal government was taking serious steps to support press clubs by lifting restrictions imposed during the PTI government and working to enhance financial assistance so that press clubs could play an effective role in the welfare of journalists.

He further stated that a substantial amount had been allocated under the Prime Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme for journalists, benefiting at least 5,000 media professionals. However, only 29 percent of the allocated funds were utilized last year. He expressed hope that a larger number of journalists would benefit from the scheme in the coming year.

Mubashir Hassan added that following cabinet approval, the process of providing financial assistance to press clubs would become smoother. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation of the 8th Wage Board Award, pledging to utilize all available resources to prevent the exploitation of journalists and media workers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Arshad Ansari appreciated the government’s initiatives for journalists and expressed hope for positive cooperation in the future.

The meeting was attended by Principal Information Officer Mubashir Hassan, DG PID Lahore Shafqat Abbas, Director PID Laiq Bajwa, Deputy Director PID Arsalan Tahir, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, Secretary Lahore Press Club Zahid Abid, senior journalists Khawaja Nasir, Abbas Naqvi, Syed Farzand Ali and Qamar Bhatti.