Memon urges media to adopt reconciliatory approach
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A. Memon has urged the media to adopt responsible behavior for national reconciliation. He was talking at the farewell function hosted in honour of Secretary Information Syed Anwer Mehmood here Tuesday night.
Nisar Memon said that the country is passing through a crucial stage. It is going to start its new journey towards democracy through the newly elected assemblies. He said that the nation had attached great hopes with these assemblies.
He urged the media to guide the people and the nation in this journey towards promotion of democracy and solidarity of the country.
Nisar Memon recalled the memories of past when he came to office two times and said that he worked with Anwar Mehmood and found him a man of principle.
He termed Information ministry a backbone of the government which works and coordinates to project its policies.
He said during the three terms in office he came across different kind of circumstances and each time Mr Mehmood was most cooperative and benign to him. He termed his second term environment as “stable” and said this time the environment is totally changed which seems to be a “confrontational” one.
Memon lauded the role of the media and said that they have always been cooperating with him.They were responsible and always kept the national interest supreme. “Media is independent and is also exercising its independence throughout the country”, he added. About certain crisis faced by country he said, Pakistan was facing multi pronged problems including terrorism and many types of propaganda.
Memon describing country’s situation said, “It is standing on the most critical juncture of history”, which needed a political leadership to decide its fate. He rejected the impression that confrontation is the fate of our country and expressed his deep optimism that it will develop under the sincere umbrella of the political leadership.
“Confrontation among individuals is good because of its limited damages, however there should not be confrontation among institutions”, he said.
Memon termed Pakistani media as “vibrant” and hailed the role of Anwar Mehmood in uplifting its status. Terming the Secretary Information’s farewell an important time he said, “When I came for the first time it was Anwar Mehmood who bid me farewell. Second time too he bid me farewell and even the third time he should bid me farewell”.
The Information Minister expressed his deep praise for Anwar Mehmood who worked for the betterment of the ministry.
Minister for Information said that there was a dire need for the “continuity of understanding” so as to keep the ministry upto mark and facilitate its employees. He said, he would keep in touch with the ministry even after the new government takes over, not because he is in hunger of publicity but to give hypothesis a shape of reality and that is the only way to serve Pakistan in a true manner.
Memon expressed concern about negative propaganda in the western media and stressed upon Pakistani media to respond in a befitting manner while projecting Islam and Pakistan not only inside the country but abroad as well.
He said, people always say that it was not difficult for him to work in this ministry as it was not new for him, but he rejected the concept as every time he had to face a different political environment.
The Minister lauded media men for their responsible behaviour during chaotic time and propaganda by western media in the wake of suicide attacks in the country. He also lauded the efforts of Mr Anwar Mehmood for his untiring works for betterment of the ministry.