Information Dept to be abolis

LAHORE - In a bid to follow the free-media notion, the Punjab government is in the process of abolishing the provincial Information Department, while placing the Directorate General of Public Relations at the disposal of the Services and General Administration Department, as it was so previously prior to the creation of the Information, Culture and Youth Affairs Department.

According to a source, a proposal has been sent to the competent authority for granting approval. After this, the present IC&YA Department will be transformed into the Culture, Tourism, Archives, Libraries and Youth Affairs Department.

The main objective behind this move seems to be the idea that if the control of the DGPR is transferred to the S&GAD, people will have the understanding that the government believes in free and independent media, both electronic and print.

Secondly, the DGPR, as previously it was working under the S&GAD on the pattern of a field unit, would be placed under the Services Department. Moreover, as per past arrangement, the Additional Chief Secretary would be its Administrative Secretary. It will on the same pattern like the Director General Protocol is still functioning under the ACS.

“The second option is of keeping the DGPR under the yet-to-be-created department for better projection of cultural and literary activities, and tourism initiatives,” said the source while adding that the DGPR could fall under the new department.