By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: The oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of the Punjab Assembly Parliamentary Reporters Press Gallery was held at the Punjab Assembly, where the Honourable Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, administered the oath to the newly elected representatives.
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The ceremony was attended by the newly elected President of the Lahore Press Club, Arshad Ansari, along with office-bearers of various press bodies, bureau chiefs, and a large number of senior journalists. Those who took the oath included President Khawaja Naseer, Secretary Abbas Haider Naqvi, Joint Secretary Syed Farzand Ali, and Assistant Secretary Wasif Mahmood.
Congratulating the newly elected office-bearers, the Speaker said that the Parliamentary Reporters Press Gallery is an integral and respected part of the Punjab Assembly, and assured that every possible effort would be made to address the issues faced by journalists and strengthen their institutional role.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stated that politics is a noble and responsible profession, where the foremost consideration must always be the national interest. He questioned the rollback of projects undertaken in the national interest, including CPEC, and emphasized that dismantling a functioning system through judicial means could not be justified under the pretext of safeguarding national interest.
He noted that despite the challenges currently confronting the country, the development trajectory of Punjab is evident. Significant and historic development initiatives are underway in rural areas, the law and order situation has improved, and public service delivery has witnessed marked enhancement. He added that while development continues on one front, attempts to generate sympathy through political maneuvering are also being observed elsewhere.
The Speaker highlighted the role of print media in nurturing political awareness, stating that newspapers played a pivotal role in his political development. He expressed his commitment to ensuring legislative protection for newspaper employees and announced that, if necessary, legislation would be introduced on a Private Members’ Day to safeguard the rights of Press Gallery members, ensuring continuity and institutional respect in the future.
Referring to the prevailing global and geopolitical environment, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said that international conditions remain tense; however, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab has witnessed transformative development. He stated that the province’s landscape has changed significantly, with development funds and resources reaching rural and underserved areas.
He further observed that in the era of artificial intelligence, misinformation and disinformation have become easier to spread; however, the growing emphasis on fact-checking is a healthy and positive trend. He said that improvements in security, governance, road infrastructure, and public transport systems are contributing to tangible improvements in the daily lives of citizens.
Addressing farmers’ concerns, the Speaker acknowledged that agricultural communities are facing genuine challenges, particularly regarding wheat pricing. He expressed confidence that the government would devise sustainable solutions for farmers, while also appreciating the federal government’s role in steering the country away from major crises.
In his concluding remarks, the Speaker said that while Parliament holds the constitutional authority to impose taxes, certain policy decisions warrant careful review to ensure the protection of public interest.
