Federal Information Secretary Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil has said the prime minister health insurance for journalists and media workers will be launched soon in an improved and more comprehensive form. He gave the assurance while addressing the oath-taking of newly elected office-bearers of the All Pakistan Newspapers and Electronic Media Employees Confederation (APNEC) Gilgit-Baltistan Chapter at the National Press Club in Islamabad on 29 October.
What the information secretary announced
Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil, Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, told the ceremony that the scheme covering journalists and media workers is being prepared for a wider relaunch. He added that his doors are always open for the journalist community. Journalism, he said, acts as a vital bridge between the government and the public, and media workers play a basic role in bringing public issues into view.
Recognising the services of media industry workers and taking effective steps to ease their problems is essential, he stressed. He also called for collaboration among stakeholders so that professionals can work in a better environment, arguing that collective effort is needed for the media industry’s development.
Voices at the APNEC Gilgit-Baltistan ceremony
Senator Talha Mahmood, Chairman of the Senate Defence Committee, said journalists help promote truth, highlight public concerns and strengthen democratic values. He urged serious measures for media workers’ welfare and congratulated the new office-bearers.
Principal Information Officer Raeesa Adil said journalists’ professional work matters greatly and that ongoing contact between press organisations and relevant institutions is needed to settle their issues. APNEC Chairman Muhammad Siddiq Anzar, who hosted the event, said protecting journalists’ rights and welfare is a core duty of journalistic bodies, thanked guests and pressed for unity among press organisations.
National Press Club President Abdul Razzaq Sial, Secretary Dr Furqan Rao, APNEC Gilgit-Baltistan Chairperson Mahwish Mumtaz Baig, Media Workers Organization President Kaleem Shamim, Tariq Usmani, Dr Sadia Kamal, Farooq Mirza and others also spoke. Mahwish Mumtaz Baig thanked participants and said APNEC Gilgit-Baltistan is working for journalists’ rights and welfare in the region. Speakers sought job security, economic protection and effective links with government institutions. A large number of journalists and media workers attended.
What happens next
Officials have not yet set a public start date beyond saying the prime minister health insurance for journalists will arrive soon in a stronger shape. No hospital list, coverage limits or online application steps were spelled out at the Islamabad ceremony. Media organisations are likely to watch for formal guidelines once the improved scheme is notified.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Information secretary ne kaha hai ke journalists aur media workers ke liye wazir-e-azam ki health insurance jald behtar shakal mein shuru hogi. Yeh baat Islamabad ke National Press Club par APNEC Gilgit-Baltistan ke naye office-bearers ki qasam khani par kahi gayi. Abhi exact date, hospital list ya apply ka tareeqa announce nahi hua. Jab scheme aaye gi, tab media workers ko medical kharche mein madad mil sakti hai.
