CM Amjad Hussain Vows to Modernise Journalism, Establish Journalists’ Endowment Fund

GILGIT: (Our Correspondent) –  Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain inaugurated a Freelancing and IT Center at the Gilgit Press Club, established in collaboration with the Special Communications Organization (SCO).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Secretary Information Rehman Shah, Deputy Director Information Farooq Ahmed, officials from the Information Department, office-bearers of the Gilgit Press Club and Gilgit Union of Journalists, as well as a large number of journalists representing various media organisations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain welcomed the establishment of the freelancing center and appreciated the SCO for supporting the journalist community.

He described journalism as an important pillar of the state, saying a strong and independent media plays a vital role in the development and prosperity of society. He noted that Gilgit-Baltistan has considerable international significance, with developments in the region regularly receiving attention from international media.

The chief minister said the government would take every possible step to modernise journalism in Gilgit-Baltistan and address the professional challenges faced by working journalists.

He said the new freelancing center would provide journalists and young people in the region with opportunities to acquire digital skills, connect with international freelancing markets and present a positive image of Gilgit-Baltistan to the world.

Amjad Hussain assured representatives of the Gilgit Press Club and Gilgit Union of Journalists that their demands would be addressed. He also announced that an Endowment Fund for the welfare of journalists would be established on a priority basis.

Directing the Information Department to complete the required legal formalities, the chief minister said the Endowment Fund should be deposited in a bank at the earliest so that its returns could be used for the welfare of journalists.