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Govt looks upon independent press with respect: Azim

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Air Marshal Azim Daudpota (Retd) on Thursday said that the present government looks upon an independent and clean press with great respect and considers constructive criticism essential for the society.

He was speaking to the members of the All Pakistan Newspapers' Society (APNS), led by its President Mir Shakilur Rehman, who called on the Governor.

The governor said the government gave due importance to the newspapers and tried to rectify the errors as pointed out by them.

He informed that the provincial government had started making payment of outstanding dues of newspapers and the same would be finalised as per commitment in instalments.

He explained that an interruption in payment in between occurred because of a complaint that some payments had been made to dummy newspapers in previous years illegally.

To a question, the governor replied that action was in progress against corrupt officials. He said it had been brought to the government's notice that in the past some corrupt elements were awarded only nominal punishment. He said these elements could be awarded appropriate punishment again.

He said overall law and order situation in Sindh had improved. However, there were complaints in respect of some of the divisions and efforts were being made to overcome the same.

He did not agree that car theft cases had increased and observed that as compared to the past, there had not only been a decline in such cases but there had been an improvement in their recovery position.

The Governor said that efforts are continuing for improving the Province's financial position. He said there had not only been some reduction in the overdraft amount but the expenditures had also been brought under control to a great extent.

Daudpota said planning was being done for poverty alleviation programme in the districts.

Replying to a question, the governor said that undue propaganda was carried out at the behest of "gestures from across the border" about viral infection in Thar. However, the provincial government paid immediate attention on this problem. The Health Department carried out a village-to-village survey and all possible steps were being taken for the health care of the people.

He said the government had decided to deprive the doctors or specialists of their jobs if they refuse to go to the rural areas.

The governor said that because of defective planning in the past, educational buildings worth Rs 5 billion were set up in the province. However, these buildings were devoid of teachers and students and were a matter of shame for all of us.

He said the government has planned the utilisation of these empty buildings in the next budget. APP