Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar Advocate, has reiterated the government's resolve for protection of journalists and their welfare.

Attaullah Tarar was talking to a delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors in Islamabad on Tuesday. The meeting discussed PECA Act, deregistration of newspapers not published regularly and other important issues.

The Minister said the government believes in consultation and is ready to discuss the PECA Act with journalist organizations and suggestions in PECA Act will be welcomed.

Attaullah Tarar said PECA Act brings such individuals under the purview of law who are exploiting the label of journalism, and provides protection to credible journalists. He said misunderstandings regarding PECA Act will be cleared.

The Minister said Journalists Protection Commission will start working soon and payments of print media will be made this year.

Appreciating the role of Pakistani media during the recent Pak-India tension, Attaullah Tarar said our media demonstrated a matured perspective and played affective role in disseminating authentic information and dispelling rumors.

He said such a demonstration of national solidarity by Pakistani media in a difficult situation is commendable.

The CPNE delegation lauded the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Pakistan Army's Public Relations Department - the ISPR - for providing timely information during the Indo-Pak tension which helped keep the flow of news effective and coherent.

The CPNE delegation made suggestions for protection of journalists, access to information and improvement of the professional environment of journalism.

The Minister assured the delegation that all possible cooperation will be extended to resolve problems of journalists. He said a joint working group with media representatives will be formed in this regard.