ISLAMABAD: According to Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, the current administration has taken quick and practical actions to revive the nation’s economy in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s agenda. She expressed Pakistan’s value for relations with Australia during a meeting with Neil Hawkins, the Australian ambassador to Pakistan, who paid her a visit. During the meeting, topics such as bilateral ties, economic stability, and collaboration in the media, arts, and culture were also covered.The ambassador praised the present administration’s initiatives to stabilise the nation’s economy as well as the agreement with the International Monetary Fund.The minister insisted that “positive results have started coming on the economic front thanks to government initiatives.”
She also briefed the ambassador about the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Marriyum said this council would ensure the forecasting, continuity and effective implementation of the policy for economic recovery.
The SIFC would function as the apex decision-making forum, she added.
Stating that the present government fully believed in freedom of expression, she said the government introduced the Freedom of Expression Bill in Parliament in first week after coming to power.
The minister said that the Journalists and Media Professionals Protection (Amendment) Bill was in the process of approval.
An ample amount of money had been allocated for the health insurance of journalists and artists in this year’s budget, she informed the ambassador.
The minister said that PEMRA law was being amended in Pakistan and for the first time journalistic organizations had also been represented in PEMRA authority.
For the first time, she said, budgetary allocation had been made for the film industry in the ongoing fiscal year.
The minister said the government wanted to show Pakistani culture, civilization and heritage to the whole world through screen tourism.
She also informed the Australian Ambassador about the National Amateur Film Festival aimed to highlight the creativity of Pakistani youth.
She said that 25 high achievers had recently left for Australia for National Amateur Film Festival Awards.
The government had not only established a film finance fund at a cost of Rs 2 billion, but also given many concessions to the film sector, she added.
” The government will provide funds for producing films, documentaries and dramas under the new film policy”, she said.
Marriyum said that foreign filmmakers should benefit from special concessions in the field of photography and filmmaking in Pakistan.
The minister appreciated Australian media for reporting situation in Pakistan in an objective and impartial manner.
The ambassador said that an Australian company was working in Balochistan on the Reko Diq project which would undoubtedly open the door for development of Pakistan.
He also appreciated Marriyum Aurangzeb’s efforts for promoting film and culture and freedom of expression in the country.
