Senate committee asks PID to stop press conferences on political issues

ISLAMABAD:  The Senate Standing Committee on Information on Friday ordered the Press Information Department (PID) to refrain from arranging press conferences on political issues, especially matters such as the Panama Papers.

In the meeting under Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Kamal Ali Agha, the PID presented a report on budgetary allocations and utilization for the current fiscal year.

The committee had earlier demanded a list citing details of the 10 previous press conference conducted by at the PID. The committee also demanded that the report should also include the the expenses of the press conferences and the justification as to why the PID platform was being used for political purposes.

The PID informed the Senate committee that one press conference costs around Rs 15,000 to Rs20,000.

The committee chairman asked that if the report incorporated details about the Panama Papers leaks, adding that the previous 10 conferences held within the last three months were carried out on the same issue.

He also said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s press conference included in the list was based on political agenda and questioned the basis on which it was allowed to be conducted.

Agha expressed anger over the usage of the PID platform for political motives and said that the PID is an institution of the state.

"Why are press conferences being held on the nation's taxes?" he inquired.

Agha said that PID has violated all the codes of conduct, adding that the platform is for highlighting the government's policies.

Chairman Kamal Ali Agha and Mushahidullah allegedly exchanged harsh words in the meeting today and rejected the report presented by the information department.

The committee also requested that the practice of using the platform for political agenda should be put to stop.