Naqvi will hold transparent elec tions in Punjab, prime minister hopes

and independent and must ensure that the rights of all citizens are respected Sharif expressed his confidence that the caretaker government will fulfil its duties in accordance with the constitution and pave the way for a free and fair election

India She went on to express that Pakistan has a strong interest in promoting regional potential but the hostile statements made by Indian government officials, such as regarding the use of nuclear weapons hinder progress towards positive relations

During the session, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Senator Danesh Kumar praised the Kartarpur Corridor and suggested promoting religious tourism between Pakistan and India by highlighting the ancient Hinglaj Mata temple located in Balochistan He noted that the temple which is over 5,000 years old, has significance for Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India as well The senator expressed hope that promoting this archaeological site would improve the social circumstances of the people in the coastal area and asked Khar to take a similar peace-building initiative as the Kartarpur Corridor

ihC issues notices in journalists’ legislation case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices to respondents in a case regarding legislation for the protection of journalists’ rights Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the cases filed by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA) At the outset of the hearing, the chief justice asked whether there was any progress regarding legislation for the protection of journalists’ rights as the Implementation Tribunal for Newspaper Employees (ITNE) chairman had been making efforts in that regard Umar Ijaz Gilani Advocate informed the court that the draft bill had been sent to the Information Ministry On this, the chief justice remarked that the ITNE was working for the rights of newspapers’ employees and even its chairman had also prepared a draft bill in that regard He observed that he could not understand the laws related to newspapers The lawyer said the ITNE comprised only a chairman and now the concept of members and benches was also being introduced CJ Aamer Farooq said the government should realize the things and even it was better if the Parliament passed the legislation in that regard To a court s query, anchorperson Hamid Mir said he was in favour of the legislation for the journalists of electronic media Former IHC chief justice Athar Minallah had given him an assignment regarding the “cross-media” and he had submitted written suggestions in that regard The chief justice remarked that there was also an issue of non-payment of journalists’ salaries The journalists had to make multiple visits to tribunals for even small amounts (owed by their employers) he noted Hamid Mir said many journalists even did not have written job proofs The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had been authorized in the law to protect the rights of journalists, he added The chief justice said whether there could be any resistance on the matter Hamid Mir replied that it was possible that the association of media owners might create hurdles in it