ISLAMABAD, 23 OCT (DNA) -Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker National Assembly has said that Pakistan and Germany have the same stated objectives of peace and stability in the region and we hope that our bilateral engagement would continue to broaden on basis of mutual respect and mutual interests. He was talking to a 4-Members media delegation from Germany which called on him in Parliament House, on Thursday.

The Speaker said that Pakistan is facing challenges like terrorism, extremism, poverty, illiteracy, inflation and energy shortages but the country is moving in the right direction and will successfully resolve the problems confronting it. Pakistan needed support of the international community to strengthen democracy, alleviate poverty and improve social well being of the people, he added.

The Speaker said that we are committed to the freedom of media subject to the provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan and the State laws. Government does not believe in press advice, censorship and control of content or information.

The Speaker said that this visit has provided them an opportunity to see the ground realities and factual problems being faced by Pakistan. He urged that after going back to their country, they should portray positive image of Pakistan. He also informed them the recent visit of German Speaker to Islamabad as well as Lahore.

The delegation appreciated the level of independence provided to media in Pakistan and wished that democracy may further flourish in the country. DNA