Bhatti killing ‘attempt to defame Pakistan’: PM

[Waqas 48]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday noting important role of media in defeating designs of extremists urged it to educate people in the right direction.He was talking to representative delegation of National Press Club led by its president Muhammad Afzal Butt here at the PM House. Gilani said the brutal murder of Federal Minister Shahabaz Bhatti was yet another attempt of enemies of the State to defame Pakistan and the philosophy of tolerance, envisaged by the founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Prime Minister said in Islam murder of anyone was a condemnable act and clearly shows that elements behind this heinous crime were enemies of humanity and the State.He said minorities and women were his constituency. He said for the first time he as Prime Minister celebrated Christmas at a Church with the christian community and recalled that the event was organized by late Shahbaz Bhatti.The President NPC Muhammad Afzal Butt said the media would continue to play its due role in projecting the soft image of Pakistan and would not shirk in its responsibilities.The Prime Minister handed over a cheque of Rs. 10 million for the NPC as announced on the occasion of the oath taking ceremony of the office bearers of the Club.Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr.Firdous Ashiq Awan was also present on the occasion.