By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Choudhry Muhammad Shahbaz Babar on Monday informed the National Assembly that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) promoted national cohesion and projected a soft, progressive and democratic image of Pakistan within and abroad.
Replying to a question during the Question Hour, he said the Information Ministry was responsible for promoting the state narrative, and projecting government policies and programmes for public awareness.
“As per Rules of Business 1973, the ministry is entrusted with the responsibility to provide policy guidelines to the state electronic media, relating to internal publicity on national matters, press relations, including delegations of journalists and other information media, provision of facilities for the development of newspapers industry and liaison and coordination with agencies and media on matters concerning government policies and activities,” he added.
Shahbaz Babar said the ministry was also responsible to formulate and implement policies, laws, rules and regulatory framework in respect of print, electronic and digital media. The Parliamentary Secretary said, “The Press Information Department (PID) extends professional support to ministries and Federal Government organizations for effective projection of the policies and programmes of the government, and runs media campaigns on government initiatives to create awareness among the masses.”
Alongside promoting a soft image of the country, it also countered negative propaganda against the state, he added. Similarly, he said, the Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications (DEMP) “produces documentaries and publishes journals/ publicity material”.
Shahbaz Babar said the Pakistan Television (PTV) was the singular terrestrial national channel with maximum outreach. The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), being the national broadcaster, countered propaganda against the state in various languages, he added. He said the Information Ministry’s representatives were working in various missions abroad.
