ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – A foolproof security system was being established at all print and electronic media houses and press clubs across the nation to turn away from any adverse situation.
Addressing a press conference, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha said that under this security system a “panic alert buttons” were being installed in all media houses.
He said the decision was made after having meetings with all journalists’ organizations, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA).
He sounded out several meetings were kept back in which strategies were evolved to enforce Terms of Reference (TORs) of the implementation committee, which was formed in pursuance of a decision of Ministerial Committee on Security of Media House formed by the Prime Minister.
He stated in the event of any terrorist activity, attack of the mob or aggression from any group or attack from the miscreants, this “panic alarm button” could be applied to get immediate reinforcement of law enforcement authorities.
He said that a letter in this regard had been written to all media houses and 20 days’ time frame was given to install this system for having proper security.
He said that on completion of this time frame on September 29, a reminder will be issued to media houses to implement the decision.
Mohsin Ranjha said the Implementation Committee would regularly review the implementation of decisions made by the Ministerial Committee.
He said under TORs, the Implementation committee has been working to have contact with Provincial Home and Information Departments of four provinces including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
He said the committee has been given task to remain in touch with print and electronic media bodies including CPNE, APNS, PBA, PFUJ and National Press Club to have proper security system and addressing other related matters.
He said that technical support would be provided where required while Provincial Information and Home Departments would ensure assistance to all media houses in the installation of security system and for further assistance on completion of installation.
He said that this “Panic alert button” would be placed in three different places of each media houses including electronic, print and news agencies while media houses’ persons would be trained to use this system in case of any emergency situation.
He said that the committee would visit media houses to personally know the response of law enforcement agencies after installation of the system.
He said besides installing this system, the committee would monitor the professional capacity of private security guards deployed at media houses.
