ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said registration in connection with health insurance card for journalists has been started under directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Health card will be issued on August 7, she said this while addressing press conference here.

She said PM allocated one billion rupees in regard to health facilities for working journalists for first time in history of country. She held it remained always his vision when Shehbaz Sharif was opposition leader and Chief Minister Punjab and at present when he is PM that there should be arrangement of health insurance for journalists and artists.

Vision for protection of rights of journalists was vision of Nawaz Sharif which is being taken along by incumbent government. Specific group is launching propaganda against PEMRA amendment bill.

She indicated amount was earmarked in present budget for health insurance of journalists and responsibility was assigned to Ministry of Information it should be implemented at Ministry level. She pointed out that Press Information Department has started registration form process through which registration of working journalists all over country will be started.

She said Prime Minister will formally launch health insurance scheme for journalists on August 7 after completion of this process. All journalists should benefit from it as all facilities have been included in card and it will be implemented in extremely transparent manner.

She said this scheme is not confined to journalists of federal capital territory but also to other parts of country as well.

It is mentioned in registration form that write it in card if you are member of any press club but it is not necessary that only members of press club will benefit from it, she stated.