Islamabad, Sep 14: Today in the DGPR office, a group of senior journalists had a friendly and positive meeting with Azma Bukhari, the Provincial Information Minister. Azma Bukhari responded to the journalists’ worries with attention and resolved their difficulties. She cleared up any confusion on the Maskan Ravi project.
At the conference, it was decided that all full-time media employees working for media organizations, including journalists, would receive plots under the Maskan Ravi Scheme. The provincial minister promised that RUDA would oversee the Maskan Ravi project’s timely completion and that PJHF would not be involved.
Bukhari added that in order to accommodate additional recipients, the plot size was extended to 5 marlas, and a total of 3,200 journalists and media professionals will receive plots. Lahori journalists and media professionals will be given preference, while those from other cities will be given plots in Maskan Ravi or in the residential schemes in their respective districts.
The minister further stated that petitioners’ appeals in the Maskan Ravi project will be given merit-based consideration, guaranteeing that no journalist will be denied their rights. Additionally, all qualified journalists and media professionals will receive plots under this program at no cost to them.
She clarified that a journalist who secured a restraining order against the project was the reason behind the project’s delay, not RUDA or the Punjab government. She has, however, instructed her staff to accelerate the case and request orders from the High Court for daily hearings. Bukhari expressed the expectation that reporters who benefited from the project will show up in court to advocate for the case to be dropped and the ban lifted.
The Maskan Ravi initiative will be re-advertised for journalists and media professionals who missed the application deadline once the court ban is removed. It is not necessary for applicants who have previously received information letters to resubmit. Ten years of employment and one year’s worth of pay stubs are required for eligibility; the BA education requirement will no longer apply.
Khalid Hasnain, Saber Awan, Kashif Malik, Rab Nawaz Khan, Kashif Selman, Faizan Waraich, and Gulzar Mustafai were among the members of the Maskan Ravi delegation. It was agreed upon by both sides to carry on further negotiations. Families will only be given one plot, even if both spouses work in the media.
The group expressed gratitude for veteran journalists Salman Ghani, Mujibur Rahman Shami, and Arshad Ansari of the Lahore Press Club for their contributions to the Maskan Ravi project.
