International experts appreciate media’s role in Pakistan

The International Growth Center (IGC), an initiative by the UK Department of International Development today held its first consultative meeting in Pakistan. During the meeting, international experts laid out the vast and important role of media in Pakistan by claiming it to be one of the most important pillars in achieving sustainable and inclusive development in the country.

The meeting was held at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and was attended by leading members of the national and provincial assemblies, senior policymakers, civil society and media.

The distinguished list of participants also included Mr. Mark Henstridge, IGC UK, Ms. Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mr. Khurram Dastagir Khan, MNA and Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Commerce and Mr. Amir Jahangir, CEO of SAMAA TV.

The meetings in Pakistan are being held to formulate a demand driven agenda for research and policy advice that contributes to the creation of sustainable and inclusive growth in Pakistan.

Speaking on the session of “Political institutions and Conflict”, Amir Jahangir, CEO SAMAA TV said that “Developing growth supporting political institutions is difficult for many countries but is especially challenging for Pakistan given the high levels of political violence plaguing the country. We as an industry need to realize the important responsibility which we carry towards our people. We are equal members of this society and equally responsible for its growth and success”.

Speaking on media responsibility, Amir Jahangir further added that “media should be creating content which results in guiding our political institutions in developing policies which will have long term benefits for the economy and the good will of our people. Policies made for the people is what will take our country forward”.

The IGC conference revolves around introducing the IGC Center and the Pakistan team to key stakeholders in Pakistan, prioritizing thematic components of the Pakistan program and discuss on IGC’s draft country program with the stakeholders.

Many of the leading policy experts attending the meeting highlighted that the links between poverty, democracy and conflict are commonly misunderstood and contradicted by rigorous data. During the discussion, the participants reinforced the need to identify avenues for research that can provide the required information and form policies which will reduce conflicts and minimize its negative impact on growth and development in Pakistan.

The IGC is directed and organized from hubs at the LSE and the University of Oxford and represents a collaborative venture to create an International Growth Network. The International Growth Network engages with policy makers, researchers and private sector and civil society representatives in the client countries seeking advice on growth.

Its structure reflects a belief that effective policies to promote growth require long-term country engagement that partners the best available generic knowledge from research with local knowledge relevant to the circumstances of the country in question. It also recognizes the need to engage with a range of actors on the ground – from government, civil society and the private sector – to be effective in influencing the climate of opinion that supports long-term policies.

SAMAA TV is one of Pakistan’s leading private satellite television channels, which takes pride in its fair, factual and independent news coverage through its on-the-hour bulletins, breaking stories, incisive political analysis and current affairs programs. The channel is the first media channel in Pakistan to have established a well-integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program as part of it business activities. SAMAA TV’s CSR program carries various initiatives within health, education, environment and outreach programs focusing on improving the socio-economic situation of Pakistan.

The channel has also made a niche for itself through its programs on women and youth issues besides infotainment and sports. SAMAA TV, launched in December 2007 has network of district correspondents and five bureaus across Pakistan along with international stringers in the Middle East, Europe and North America.