ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that his government was committed to upholding free speech, which is a sine qua non for a strong and flourishing democracy.
Journalists’ safety and free speech
Addressing a function organised by the Journalist Safety Forum to mark the UN 10 years plan of action, Prime Minister Sharif said that media freedom was very close to the heart of the Pakistani people. He said that democracy and media reinforce each other and go hand in hand, and they must work together for the freedom of media.
“We have had military dictators rule the country for 35 years before the democratic leadership put the country on the path to democracy through collective efforts,” he said, adding that the 1973 constitution of the country guaranteed freedom of speech.
He said that the constitution also binds the federating units of Pakistan.
The premier said that freedom of the media was an important pillar of the democratic dispensation and “We are committed to upholding the freedom of speech”.
“I firmly commit to implementing the journalist safety law to ensure the safety and security of journalists.
