Asif ur Rahman: "We wish to expand media cooperation with Uzbekistan"
The Associated Press of Pakistan news agency and the Uzbekistan National News Agency, as well as the Pakistan Television Corporation
Asif ur Rahman: "We want to expand media cooperation with Uzbekistan"
Within the framework of a media tour organized with the support of the Embassy of Pakistan in Uzbekistan, a group of Uzbek journalists and bloggers is visiting this country to closely familiarize themselves with the activities of the mass media in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as well as the work being carried out in the fields of culture and tourism.
On the first day of the trip, the delegation of Uzbekistan visited the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan. During the meeting, issues of developing media cooperation between the two countries, exchange of journalists, and further expanding relations between news agencies and television and radio companies were discussed.
Additionally, the delegation members received information about the current state of the media sector in Pakistan, the digital information space, the importance of social networks, and joint media projects.
Within the framework of the meeting, we also spoke with Asif ur Rahman Khan, Director for SAARC, Central Asian Republics, West Asia, Middle East, and Africa of the External Publicity Wing of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan.
He assessed the visit of the media delegation from Uzbekistan as an important step that will serve to further develop information and media relations between the two countries.
"This was a long-awaited visit. A meaningful program has been prepared for Uzbek journalists. They will get acquainted with the activities of state and private mass media, as well as various organizations. This will allow them to form a broader understanding of how official and private media operate in Pakistan," said Asif ur Rahman Khan.
The visit program also includes visiting historical, architectural, and modern sites. The delegation is scheduled to get acquainted with architectural monuments of the Baburid era, archaeological sites, and modern structures.
Asif ur Rahman Khan also emphasized that cooperation in the media sector between Pakistan and Uzbekistan has a specific institutional basis.
"There are a number of memorandums and agreements in the media field between the two countries. In particular, cooperation documents have been signed between the Associated Press of Pakistan news agency and the Uzbekistan National News Agency, as well as between the Pakistan Television Corporation and the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan," he said.
According to him, the parties aim to further strengthen media relations through mutual visits, exchange of experience, and expanding direct contacts between organizations.
"We want to bring our friendly relations even closer and expand cooperation in various areas of the media sector. This process should not be limited only to the press and electronic media. The digital information space, the fight against fake news, and similar modern directions should also be an important part of our cooperation," said the representative of Pakistan.
During the conversation, opinions were also expressed about the role of social networks and blogging in Pakistan.
"Social networks are very popular in Pakistan. There is a very large audience that follows various influencers. They play an important role in delivering specific views and information to the general public," he said.
Answering the question about which source the population receives information from the most, Asif ur Rahman Khan noted that social networks have a large audience. However, he stated that to provide precise statistical indicators, it is necessary to refer to the opinions of the specialists responsible for this matter.
At the end of the conversation, emphasis was placed on the friendship between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.