KARACHI:Sindh caretaker Minister for Information Jameel Yusuf Tuesday discussed various ways and means to bring reforms to the Information Department. He also expressed his grave concern over the attitude of officers towards their responsibilities.
The meeting was attended by newly posted Secretary Information Department Qazi Shahid Pervaiz and all Directors of Information Department. The minister instructed officers to discharge duties dedicatedly and uplift the image of department. He reviewed the functioning of each and every directorate of the department and asked Director Information to rationalize the disbursement of advertisements. “The advertisements must be given on merit keeping in view the regularity and circulation of the newspapers”, he elaborated.
He further directed to revisit process of pre-qualification of advertising agencies held recently and submit report along with recommendations. He was of the view to place entire details of advertisements related matters including distribution of advertisements and payments there on website of information department to ensure transparency and good governance.
Yusuf emphasized the need to reactivate website of Information Department within shortest possible time and asked Director Electronic Media to submit compliance report. While reviewing the working of Directorate of Electronic Media, the minister directed officials to transform Electronic Media into a functional Rapid Response Cell. “All important government functionaries of the Sindh government should be informed at once about the news to be clarified or contradicted and responded to and in this connection, PROs be taken on board to act efficiently, he emphasized.
The minister information concluded the meeting with the remarks to exhibit devotion and sincerity to revamp the department and make it more public oriented. The secretary information said that necessary training of the officers would be ensured to make the department more active and efficient. He further said that slackness and negligence to responsibilities would not be tolerated and all such elements would be taken to task. He emphasized upon the role of information department during caretaker regime and directed to utilize all energies to assist election commission of Pakistan and other departments responsible for holding fair and free elections.