TAXILA: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has said concerns of all stakeholders about the defamation bill will be addressed.

He said not only journalists but also no common man should be denied their right to freedom of speech. But this right would not be a licence to defame others through allegations.

The governor was talking to newsmen at Hassanabdal and Pindigheb on Saturday.

“I have not studied the bill yet. It will be reviewed keeping in mind the legal and constitutional requirements. If this law conflicts with human rights, freedom of the press and the Constitution, then amendments could be made at any stage,” he added.

He said such a decision will be taken after consultation with human rights institutions and technical experts, adding his stance will be in accordance with his party’s policy. He said it was important to look at the law in terms of the honour of citizens. It is also important to set moral boundaries for people working on social media.

He clarified that he would deliberate on the matter and consult his legal team prior to taking any decision.

Mr Haider said Attock would get a university soon to provide better higher education facilities to the youth of the district. University sub-campuses would also be established in far-flung areas of the district. He said the city of Hassanabdal would be gifted with a “surprise” development project to raise the living standard of the people of the area.

Meanwhile, the governor said that special children were a vital part of our society and the Punjab government would utilise all resources to provide best facilities and quality education to them.

He expressed these views during his visit to a special education centre Pindigheb.

“Providing all facilities to special children for their welfare is our prime religious obligation,” he added.

He said special children were an important segment of our society and efforts were being made to educate them and to make them useful members of the society.

The principal of the school, Dr Ghazala Yasmeen, briefed the governor about students, faculty and problems of the school.

The governor visited classrooms of the school and interacted with the students.

A local notable, Riasat Ali informed the governor that the special education centre under the school management committee led by retired Gen Mohammad Arif Malik was established on six kanals with an allocation of Rs20 million in 2022. He said the first floor of the building was constructed on a self-help basis.

The governor assured the school administration and notables of the area that he would utilise all-out resources to address the paucity of staff and facilities in the school. He said as the school located in his hometown, it would be made a model education centre in the province.

The governor announced a donation of Rs0.5 million for the school management committee for addressing the academic needs of the students.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2024