Addressing the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected office holders of the Lahore Press Club, Prime Minister Gilani said it was the PPP government which resolved the issue of third-term prime ministership of the PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif. "Gone are the times when the prime minister, president, army chief and chief justice used to quarrel," the premier said. He said no change will come until the silent majority speaks out. "Even a peon does not like to give his powers to anyone, but President Asif Ali Zardari has willingly surrendered all his powers to the prime minister," Gilani said. He said Bangladesh would not have been created if provincial autonomy was provided to the federating units.
To a question, the prime minister said Pakistan has decided in principle to recognise the new government in Libya.
Prime Minister Gilani said the PPP always supported the cause of free media and the Shaheed party leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto used to attend the protest camps of journalists. He said media enjoys exemplary independence in Pakistan. "We repealed all the laws made by the dictators for putting curbs on the media," he said.
He said knowing the truth is the right of the people and the government will make all possible efforts to ensure freedom of media. He said the present government did not target any poet, journalist, writer or any newspaper or media channel for its differences with the government policies.
Gilani said the government was extending all possible financial assistance to the press clubs and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting provides financial help to the families of journalists who become victims of terrorism.
He said the government is fully cognizant of the fact that the media persons are greater threats than ever owing to the bad security situation in the country.
To a question, the premier said a judicial commission has been formed to investigate the murder of journalist Saleem Shahzad. He said the commission is working independently and its findings will be made public. He assured that the government will act upon the recommendations of the judicial commission.
He said the present government enjoys very cordial relations with the media, adding that the government respects the independence of media. He said the media has to play a crucial role to make Pakistan prosperous according to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
On the occasion, the premier announced a grant of Rs10 million for the Lahore Press Club.
