Media should highlight positive initiatives of govt: Samar

Adviser to the Governor on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour on Friday urged the media to highlight positive initiatives of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government while continuing to report public concerns responsibly and objectively.
She said fact-based journalism played a vital role in promoting accountability, informing the public and ensuring that voices and concerns of the people were effectively represented.
Addressing a press conference at the Governor House, Peshawar, in the presence of Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, she said road excavations and ongoing gas, electricity and other utility works had caused considerable inconvenience to citizens.
She observed that timely restoration of roads and improved coordination was essential, adding that improving Peshawar’s roads, upgrading urban infrastructure and resolving civic issues must remain key priorities in the province’s development agenda.
Earlier, referring to a high-level meeting held at the Governor House a day earlier, Ms Bilour said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior military leadership participated in the session which lasted for about three and a half hours. Governor Kundi presented a comprehensive briefing on the province’s law and order situation, development priorities and public concerns.
Paying rich tribute to police martyrs, she said the fight against terrorism was not a political exercise but a struggle for collective survival. “The sacrifices of our police personnel are a source of pride for the entire nation. Our martyrs will always remain our national heroes,” she said, extending condolences to the bereaved families.
She emphasised the need to strengthen the professional and operational capabilities of police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) with modern weapons, secure vehicles, tracking systems and protective equipment, with sustained federal support.
Ms Bilour said the Prime Minister had acknowledged that development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was integral to Pakistan’s overall progress. She said federal government had assured additional financial resources and support, adding that establishment of Danish Schools in underserved areas including Bajaur, road connectivity, IT hubs and vocational training were identified as key priorities.
She also stressed the need for an effective monitoring and tracking mechanism for development projects initiated through Governor House to document commencement dates, timelines and actual progress, so that public could monitor implementation.