ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday emphasized on the importance of projecting Pakistan as a moderate, peace-loving and progressive Islamic state, and removing misperception about it.
Talking to a delegation of press officers of Information Group posted to various missions abroad, the president said that the role of press officers was important in highlighting the country’s achievements in economic and social spheres. He noted that media had a central role in diplomacy and with the revolution in information and communication technology, its significance had further increased.
He said with world becoming a global village, the social media had turned common man into a journalist. Hence, he said, heavy responsibility lied on press officers in projecting government’s policies and protecting national interests. “Your top priority should be to project Pakistan as a democratic, moderate and peaceful state which desires friendly relations with all its neighbours,” he said.
He said that the people of Pakistan and its civil society are peace loving and humanitarian, adding that Pakistan’s ratio of public charity to GDP was highest in the world. He said Pakistan was the biggest victim of terrorism and lost more than 60,000 lives in war against terrorism and extremism. He expressed his satisfaction at the successes achieved in operation Zarb-e-Azb and expressed his conviction that complete success would soon be achieved in eradicating this menace from the country.
He called for highlighting Kashmir issue as an international dispute, which should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and in the light of UN resolutions. “Pakistan fully supports Kashmiri people in their struggle for right to self-determination and expects from international community to play its role in halting gross human rights violations by Indian security forces in Kashmir,” he underscored.
He directed the press officers to highlight the true context of Kashmir issue and non-fulfilment of the UN resolutions and pledges by India. He said democracy was strengthening in the country with media enjoying freedom and women being encouraged to acquire education and play role in nation-building. He said the civil society was playing a very active role in Pakistan which was paving way for a very constructive change in the society.
He said the country’s economy was improving as a result of sound economic policies and urged the officers to highlight investor friendly policies of the government to attract foreign investment. He stated that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project would transform not only Pakistan but the whole region. “With the completion of energy projects, the country would get rid of load-shedding by 2018,” he asserted.
The president hoped that press officers would work with dedication and utilize all their abilities in furthering the interests of Pakistan at their places of posting. He wished the officers well in discharge of their new responsibilities.
