LAHORE, April 15: Punjab Communication and Works Minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin has said that the government believes in freedom of press, and today media in Pakistan is as free as never before.

He stated this while addressing participants in a luncheon hosted by Punjab PML vice-president Dr Nabila Tariq in honour of the office-bearers of the Lahore Press Club at a local hotel on Saturday.

The minister said that press and democracy were part and parcel, adding that free press was a must for the promotion of democracy. He called upon the media to highlight the government policies in an effective manner.

The government will welcome the constructive and positive criticism of the media, he said, asserting that the government is fully facilitating journalists for performing their professional duties.

Mr Zaheer said that education, health and communication sectors were on top priority of the present government and billions of rupees were being spent for the development of these sectors.—APP