Islamabad; April, 28, 2017:  The Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has directed Information and Broadcasting Division to complete consultation with media organizations and finalize the draft Journalists Welfare and Protection Bill and present it to the Committee in the month of May, 2017. The Committee met under the Chairmanship of Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla, MNA in Islamabad, this morning.
 
    The Director General (IP), Information and Broadcasting Division briefed the Committee about the progress on the Bill. The Committee was apprised that the Private Members Bills moved by Sahibzada Tariq Ullah, MNA and Senator Professor Ghafoor Ahmad relating to protection and welfare of Journalists were clubbed together and process of consultation was carried out with Media Organizations, Civil Society, Media Houses and other stakeholders and their input was incorporated therein to bring a comprehensive legislative proposal that would ensure welfare and protection of media workers. He assured the Committee that the Information Division would complete the process and present the draft legislative proposal within the given time frame. The Chairman asked the Members of the Committee to give their input, if any to the Division so that it could be incorporated therein.
 
    Later, the Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) briefed the Committee about working and scope of activities of the Academy. He apprised that PAL was working aggressively in accordance with its mandate for promotion of literature and literary activities within the country besides welfare of the writers. He briefed the Committee about the publications by PAL and criteria adopted for selection of publication of literary work of Writers. The Chairman informed that the Academy had established its Bureau of Translation with its indigenous resources for translation of literary work into regional and national language. He also informed the Committee about the literary activities organized by PAL and measures initiated for welfare of indigent Writers during last three years.
 
    The Committee appreciated the performance of PAL and extended its all-out support for achieving its objectives. The Committee opined that Pakistan Academy of Letters could play a vital role in making peaceful society Literature and Writers. The Committee later visited the Library of the Academy and Writers House.
 
    The meeting was attended by MNAs;  Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Mr. Muhammad Tallal Chaudry, Mian Muhammad Farooq,  Mr. Tahir Iqbal Ch., Ms. Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, Ms. Parveen Masood Bhatti, Ms. Arifa Khalid Parvez, Mr. Imran Zafar Leghari, Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, Sahibzada Tariq Ullah, Mover, Secretary NH&LH Division and heads of the concerned departments.