ISLAMABAD, NOV 4 /DNA/ – (City Reporter): French Ambassador to Pakistan, Jean-Noël Poirier, visited the National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad, where he was warmly received by NPC President Abdul Razzaq Sial, Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao, and senior journalists.
During the visit, the French ambassador also planted a sapling at the Press Club and was briefed on its various departments, facilities and journalistic activities.
Welcoming the ambassador, NPC President Abdul Razzaq Sial said that the National Press Club was playing an active role in promoting journalists’ welfare, professional training and journalistic activities. He described the ambassador’s visit as an important development towards strengthening media relations and mutual cooperation between Pakistan and France.
NPC Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao briefed the ambassador in detail about the history and organisational structure of the Press Club, its ongoing initiatives for journalists’ welfare and its professional activities.
He emphasised that organising training programmes to enhance journalists’ professional capabilities, equip them with modern journalistic skills and provide them exposure to international media practices was an important need of the time.
Dr. Furqan Rao expressed hope that, with the cooperation of the French Embassy, various training workshops and professional sessions would be organised to enhance the capacity of Pakistani journalists. These initiatives would provide journalists with opportunities to learn about modern journalism, communication skills and international journalistic experiences.
He said that the National Press Club was keen to play a positive and constructive role in further strengthening journalistic and cultural relations between Pakistan and France.
Speaking informally with NPC office-bearers and journalists, French Ambassador Jean-Noël Poirier said that he was willing to work with Pakistani journalists and to explore opportunities of cooperation with the National Press Club. He emphasised the importance of maintaining communication and exchanging views with journalists.
The ambassador’s visit was described as an important step towards promoting media relations between the two countries, exchanging professional experiences and exploring new opportunities to enhance the professional capacity of Pakistani journalists. Discussions were also held on further strengthening mutual contacts and organising joint activities in the future.
President National Press Club Abdur Razzaq Sial thanks the ambassador for visiting national press club.
