Meeting of the working group on Information with reference to reform agenda

Peshawar, March 24, 2014 (PPI-OT): A meeting of the working group on Information with reference to reform agenda of the provincial government was held here on Thursday with Secretary Information, Muhammad Nasir in the chair. On this occasion, beside others, Director Information Behramand Jan, senior journalist, Rahimullah Yousafzai, President Peshawar Press Club, Nasir Hussain, Ehtesham Toru, Mushtaq Shabab and Ms. Bushra Farrukh were also present.

The meeting thread barely discussed various aspects, pros and cons as to how the efficiency of the Directorate of Information could be improved with existing facilities and agreed to further equip the department with latest technologies to come up with the expectations of the general public.

The meeting stressed the need for TOR, job description of each section of the Directorate in clear terms, capacity building of its officers, E base function, establishment of a library, revival of the committee for just release of advertisements, paid internship in the newspapers to new graduates of journalism. It was also decided that the government departments must either use full name of the province as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or its exact abbreviation as KP instead of KPK in official correspondence etc.

Rahimullah Yousafzai was of the opinion to provide equipments, computers, furniture, capacity building, proper career opportunities and structure to the officers adding that the non existence of the same including the basic need like water was very unfortunate. He said better results and progress could only be achieved if the staff were provided congenial atmosphere to work with peace of mind.

Behramand Jan, who presently also holds the charge of Director Culture, requested that Endowment Fund on the analogy of Journalists Welfare Endowment Fund (JWEF) might be established for the deserving and needy artists and writers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Earlier, Secretary Information, Muhammad Nasir in his opening remarks highlighted the aims and objectives of the meeting and stressed the need for coming up with solid suggestions to be submitted to the government in this regard. He also briefed the participants about the present state of affairs of the Directorate of Information with special reference to the working of each and every section, deficiencies being faced and suggestions of the department in this regard.

Other members also expressed their point of view by suggesting various steps for the betterment of the Directorate and its working which the Secretary Information solicited to include in their report in this regard. He also asked to give special attention to the early provision of potable water and taking up again the office accommodation problem with the concerned quarters.

Later on, the working group had a round of various sections of the Directorate of Information. The section incharge briefed them about the working of their respective sections.

For more information, contact:
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Tel: 091 921 1789
Email: info@khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk