RAWALPINDI: (Parliament Times) Kashmiri journalists are very competent who did wonderful work in the field of journalism.
These views were expressed by AJK information minister Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas while addressing anniversary of a local Urdu daily here on Tuesday.
He said he believes that two percent development budget should be set aside for media in AJK for which he had already been working. He expressed hope he would get it approved by the government.
He said criticism is for improvement or reforms in the society but some insane journalists use it for ulterior motives or humiliation. He said Kashmiri print media had helped government reduce unemployment in the state.
The minister amused the participants by telling tales of his journalistic era. The young journalists did not seem to have face the writers of the caliber of his time. In the beginning of their careers journalists have to face lots of problems, he added. He himself passed through the learning process difficulties.
Minhas lauded the courage and determination of Zahid Tabassum who did not yield under the most unfavorable circumstances. He congratulated the entire team of Kashmir express for their untiring efforts for the paper that he said had turned 17 years now.
He said he remained attached with this profession for a long time so he knows all pros and cons of it and experienced some real hard time while being a journalist. He said he still feel himself to be part of journalism and could come to any journalist just at a call.
He was of the view that technology had made this profession much easy now.
Minhas said people of Kashmir have pinned lots of hopes with media in AJK and Pakistan for highlighting their trials and tribulations at the hands of Indian occupation forces. He said journalists should give more space to highlight Kashmir issue over the globe. He appreciated media for highlighting the issues of overseas Kashmiris.
He asked the print and electronic media to maintain civility and avoid undue criticism at anyone. Media could play a great role in highlighting the societal issues. He assured government would take all possible steps to resolve journalists’ problems.
The anniversary was attended by a large number of chief editors, editors and journalists.