ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the rescue team tasked with retrieving the body of Dr. Asma from Spantik Mountain in the Karakoram range had to turn back due to severe weather conditions. In a post on social media platform X, the minister said the team had reached almost near Camp-3, but heavy snowfall and strong winds forced it to return to Camp-2.
He said high-altitude porters were expected to reach Camp-3 and bring the body down to the base camp, but the adverse weather had hampered the retrieval operation. Tarar said a helicopter had been authorised and coordination had been established between the Gilgit-Baltistan government and the FCNA, while alternate arrangements were also in place. “Whatever can be done in these circumstances, will be done,” he said. The minister added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was being kept updated on the situation.
Tarar urges young officers to adopt responsible communication strategies
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar urged young civil servants to perform their responsibilities with integrity, professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility while keeping the national interest paramount.
Addressing 217 probationary officers of the 54th Common Training Programme (CTP) during their visit to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Digital Communication Department, he said effective government communication played a vital role in promoting transparency, providing accurate information to the public and strengthening trust in state institutions.
The minister said the Common Training Programme was playing an important role in enhancing the professional capabilities of government officers and preparing them for effective public service. He stressed that in the current digital age, effectively countering misinformation and misleading content had become imperative, requiring professional, timely and responsible communication strategies. Tarar urged the young officers to serve Pakistan with humility, commitment and a strong sense of responsibility, and to discharge their official duties with integrity and professional competence. The 217-member delegation comprised 117 male and 100 female probationers from 12 occupational groups and services of the federal government.
The probationers were given a detailed briefing on the role of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, government communication, formulation and projection of the national narrative, digital communication, public awareness and countering misinformation. They were also briefed on the use of digital communication for public outreach and disseminating information about national policies and government initiatives. The probationary officers appreciated the briefing and expressed keen interest in the role of government communication and digital media in strengthening public outreach.
