recorder report

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said politics of baseless allegations should now be abandoned, adding the media should not run speculation-based news items on Dawn Leaks issue till the official report in the matter is unveiled.

Talking to media persons here on Tuesday, she said nowadays the people who are talking about corruption are, in fact, the real culprits involved in massive corruption while they were in the government.

She also urged media to display responsible behaviour and refrain from irresponsible reporting on sensitive and national issues. She said news running in different media outlets regarding Dawn Leaks attributed to sources must be stopped, saying that after every report Imran Khan starts screaming and levelling baseless allegations. She said that Imran Khan and other people connecting Maryam Nawaz Sharif with Dawn Leaks must apologise for baseless allegations.

She said that Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is trying its best to rid the country of all the evils including terrorism and economic ills. She said that to put Pakistan on the path of economic development the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a great gift of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the people of Pakistan.

She said “One Belt, One Road” will promote trade and bring prosperity in the country, saying that the CPEC includes several infrastructural and energy related projects which will open new vistas of development in the country.

Marriyum said that the leadership of PPPP and PTI know that both the parties do not have any performance to their credit on the basis of which they would contest the upcoming general elections; therefore they have started relying on the politics of baseless allegations. She said that false propaganda is being unleashed with regard to Dawn Leaks, which should be stopped.

Later in the evening, after inaugurating China Culture Centre Islamabad, she said that CPEC is a proof of Pak-China friendship based on solid footings of mutual trust and affection. She added that the opening of the culture centre is one of dividends of long-lasting Pak-China friendship.

The minister said the Chinese cultural center will give an opportunity to Pakistani youth to connect them with Chinese culture, saying this will also help hundreds of Pakistani students going to China for getting higher education on scholarships.

The minister of state said the government is taking concrete steps to acquaint and connect young generation with their historic culture and traditional norms.

The minister said that CPEC will not only connect Pakistan and China but it will connect 65 nations across the world from Europe to Africa.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said that Pakistan and China are good neighbours and friends. He said the establishment of China Culture Centre in Pakistan is testimony of unique friendship between the two countries.

The Chinese ambassador said that the establishment of the culture centre in Pakistan shows strong Pak-China relations in all spheres of life.

Earlier, while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected office-bearers of Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, Marriyum Aurangzeb said domestic tourism has improved over the last four years in the country due to better security situation.

She described it a positive development, saying it will also restore the confidence of international tourists.

The minister pointed out that the cultural and physical diversity makes Pakistan a hot spot for tourism and all the stakeholders, especially the private sector, will have to come forward to exploit the potential and project a soft image of the country.

She said the government’s responsibility is to give policy guidelines and provide an enabling environment while it is for the private sector to invest in important sector of economy.

The minister said the 18th Amendment is a reality and under the amendment the subject of tourism has been devolved to the federating units. However, the federal government can give policy guidelines on the matter.

She also highlighted the steps being taken by the provincial governments for the up-gradation and protection of national heritage and archaeological sites. She was confident that multibillion dollars CPEC project will also help promote tourism.

The minister said national heritage is also being made part of the curriculum in order to acquaint the young generation with the diversity of Pakistani culture.

In connection with the 70th Independence Day celebrations, a campaign has also been launched to promote the country’s soft image through its heritage and true values.