ISLAMABAD, 3 February 2006 — Pakistan’s minister of information and broadcasting called his ministry’s negotiations with Saudi counterparts “fruitful” yesterday.
“We held very fruitful negotiations with the delegation of Saudi Arabia, headed by Minister of Culture and Information Iyad Madani.
“It was resolved that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will forge closer coordination in the field of electronic media,” said Sheikh Rashid Ahmad.
He added that the talks resulted in exchanging expertise in the field of electronic media. Radio will follow in the near future.
He said at present the media plays an important role in world development and its imperative that Pakistan and the Kingdom must focus on media development through joint efforts to achieve higher grounds.
He said the visit to Pakistan by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah would go a long way in expanding the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the Kingdom.
Rashid said Pakistan will send a high-powered delegation in February to explore and identify those avenues were closer cooperation could be forged between the two countries.
Earlier yesterday, Rashid, along with his officials received Madani and informed him that in Pakistan 15 private sector channels are now operational and 37 more channels are coming up. He said there are 600 newspapers and 1,300 periodicals published in Pakistan.
On the occasion the chairman of PTV, PBC and the secretary of information and broadcasting informed the delegation that Pakistan has given complete freedom to press and now there are no restrictions on press, private sector channels and wire services.
