By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira Wednesday asked the electronic media to avoid live coverage of terrorist incidents and rescue activities as these caused depression among the masses.
Addressing a joint press conference alongwith Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) to inform media about the latest updates on the on-going operation in South Waziristan, he said the government does not want to force its decision; rather it is pursuing dialogue with media organizations to convince them on the matter.
He said the government was holding talks with Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) as well as other concerned bodies, hoping the matter would be resolved with consensus.
Information Minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira appreciated the role of national media in the war on terror and in formulating public opinion against this menace.
Kaira asked media not to glorify the terrorists and acts of terrorism in any form as these also strengthen the motives and evil designs of the terrorists.
He strongly condemned the Peshawar blast and said the terrorists in South Waziristan Agency are on the run and demoralized as they cannot face the might of Pakistan Armed Forces.
“That is why the militants were targeting soft targets and killing innocent women and children. What type of religion they follow. Is this jihad that they are killing the innocent,” asked the Minister.
He said the militants cannot demoralize the nation as through such cowardly acts the terrorists have exposed themselves and added people of Pakistan, the government and the armed forces have a same commitment which is complete elimination of terrorism and extremism.
Giving details about the operation in South Waziristan, he said during past 24 hours, 25 terrorists have been killed while the Armed Forces suffered no casualty.
However, five soldiers were wounded during the gun battle with terrorists, he said.
The Minister said in a bold move security forces have secured important features around Kaniguram, the major stronghold of terrorists and important base of Uzbeks.
Answering a question, Qamar Zaman Kaira said efforts are being made to get new security equipment and provide training to the civil law enforcement agencies.
The Chief of Army Staff, in a recent security meeting had also offered to train the personnel of civil law enforcement agencies.
On the issue of dislocated persons,he said so far 20,554 IDP families have been registered and 11,080 accounts have been opened so far.
Over 11,000 smart cards have been prepared out of which 7000 cards have been distributed among the IDPs, who have withdrawn Rs. 13.3 million, he said and added more registration centres have been established to facilitate IDPs.
Minister for Information, Qamar Zaman Kaira said our forces commanders are professionally competent and have planned better strategy, adding that is why the terrorists are suffering heavy losses in South Waziristan and the targets are being achieved before stipulated time.
To a question, he said during the meeting between President Asif Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif, all challenges being faced by the country were discussed.
The Minister recalled that President Zardari during his first address to the joint sitting of the Parliament had asked the Speaker to form a constitutional reforms committee which was a proof that he (President) was willing to surrender his powers through constitutional amendment.
He further said amendment in the constitution was a difficult process and PPP and PML-N collectively do not enjoy two-third majority in both Houses of the Parliament, therefore, it was necessary to garner support of smaller parties on the matter.