ISLAMABAD (APP) - Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Thursday said the government would complete its term.
“Next general elections will be held in 2013,” she told the media after inaugurating Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) Complaints Call Centre.
“The Pakistan People’s Party-led government will complete its tenure as the masses have mandated it through their votes to run the state affairs for five years,” the minister added.
Brushing aside rumours that she is going to join PTI, Awan said, “I have to live and die with the PPP and such rumours carry no weight.”
She said, “Ministry and any other portfolio are meaningless to me. I will prefer to go home if I fail to deliver.” About the Complaint Call Centre, she said a state-of-the-art public complaints call centre (0800-736672) had been set up to address complaints against cable operators.
The minister said dedicated and trained staff would be available at the centre round the clock. The Pemra has been given mandate to improve the standard of information and entertainment, ensuring more choices for viewers in news, current affairs and other programmes.
The minister said the government had also established Councils of Complaints at four provincial capitals and one at the federal capital to redress public grievances against broadcast media and distribution service.
Awan said the government believes in freedom of expression but this freedom must be coupled with responsibility.
Replying to a question, she said the centre had not been established for victimisation rather it would take action against the channels involved in airing programmes against religions and country’s interests.
“We want to introduce self-accountability at the channels by introducing this medium,” she remarked and assured that status and quality of the complaint will be evaluated before taking any action and code of conduct would be implemented at any cost.
The minister said keeping the government was planning to introduce National Digitalisation Policy (NDP) in 2012. Introduction of NDP will increase the channels carrying capacity and improve quality of picture.
To a question, she said the government was working for improvement and strengthening democratic institutions in the country and strong media guaranteed strong democracy.
The minister said public gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in connection with the fourth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto could not be compared with other gatherings.
To another question, she said the government would honour the verdict of court.
“We have rendered sacrifices for an independent judiciary and we know to honour the courts and do not need dictation from anyone in this regard,” she remarked, adding that the government wanted to deliver and perform according to wishes of the people who reposed confidence in PPP.
Awan thanked Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari for extending support in handling the affairs of her ministry.
About the Journalists Victim Fund, she said it had been established with an amount of Rs200 million. The minister said the government was taking all possible measures for the welfare of journalists.
 “We know that the journalists have rendered sacrifices. We acknowledge their services,” she added.
The public can now lodge their complaints, suggestions or comments with regard to services, quality of content of the private TV channels, FM radios and besides the complaints and feedback can also be lodged at; www.pemra.gov.pk/feedback and the e-mail: complaints@pemra.gov.pk and Fax No 051-9107147.