Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry, addressed the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, covering a range of pressing issues. Here are some highlights from his remarks:
Nawaz Sharif’s Return: Chaudhry clarified that Nawaz Sharif did not break jail walls to leave the country but rather departed with the permission of the courts and the government. He emphasized that when Nawaz Sharif returns, he will have to abide by the constitution and the law. Whether he seeks protective bail or appears before the courts will depend on his decision.
PTI Chairman’s Name in ECP: Responding to queries about the use of PTI Chairman’s name during political activities, Chaudhry stated that there are no legal restrictions on using the name of the Chairman of a political party.
Petroleum Prices: Regarding the recent reduction in petroleum prices, the Information Minister explained that the prices of petroleum products are determined based on international market rates. The decrease in the value of the US dollar, coupled with government measures, led to a drop in fuel prices. He expressed hope that further reductions would be seen in the coming days.
Electricity Theft: Addressing the issue of electricity theft, Chaudhry mentioned that approximately 8 billion rupees have been recovered due to efforts against electricity theft. He acknowledged that power theft places an additional burden on honest consumers and emphasized the need to rectify the system.
Election Commission’s Role: Chaudhry emphasized that under Article 218(3) of the constitution, it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to conduct free, fair, transparent, and impartial elections. He assured that the government would support the Election Commission in all its requirements to ensure smooth and credible elections.
Electoral Constituencies: He added that after the completion of constituency delimitation, the final date for elections would be announced. All registered political parties would be given equal opportunities.
Journalists’ Issues: Fawad Chaudhry also addressed issues faced by journalists and stated that he would work with the Principal Information Officer to address these concerns. He highlighted the role of Karachi Press Club as a historical institution and acknowledged the importance of a free and vibrant media in a democratic society.
Fawad Chaudhry’s address at the Karachi Press Club covered various important topics, including political developments, economic matters, and media-related issues. The government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring transparent elections was emphasized throughout the discussion, highlighting the importance of democratic processes in Pakistan.
