He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of computerisation scheme of Information Department here on Saturday. The NWFP Minister for Science and Technology Muhammad Ayub Khan Ashari was chief guest on this occasion.
Under the scheme, all the sections of Information department would be computerised in next six months that would expedite the dissemination of news, pictures, videos and advertisements to the print and electronic media.
Mian Iftikhar while lauding efforts of the officers for benefiting from the latest technology said that it was good omen to improve efficiency of the government machinery and ensure welfare of the masses through information technology with a click of computer button rather than perishing the humanity through atom bomb.
He assured that provincial government would extend all out support in this regard. He on this occasion asked the Information department as well as the entire print and electronic media to play its effective role for extinguishing the fire of terrorism in Pukhtunkhwa in the present critical scenario.
He said that Pukhtuns were being dubbed and presented as terrorists in the world as well as killed in cold blood. However, he underlined the need that our media must play its positive role as against that of the Western media to foil the negative propaganda and become aggressive and not defensive for this purpose.
The Information Minister said that provincial government was sincerely endeavouring for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the region by using the plays of Jirga and negotiations.
However, he cautioned that challenging of the government writ would not be allowed at any cost. He directed for improving the quality of computerisation of the department as well as ensuring its early completion.
He said that work on computerization of the struggle and achievement of great Khudai Khidmatgar Leader Bacha Khan and his followers against the colonial regime in sub continent has been started wherein record up to 1921 has been completed while computerization of the remaining period was being carried on.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2008