Referring to the direct or indirect relationship between the Governments of advanced countries and the subject of media and information, it is contended that in the United Kingdom, the Central Office of Information existed up to 2012 in order to provide communications and marketing support to the British Government. The office was abolished in 2012 due to budgetary cuts and it now functions under the Prime Minister’s Cabinet office.

Article 159 Broadcasting and telecasting of the Constitution of 1973. (1) The Federal Government shall not unreasonably refuse to entrust to a Provincial Government such functions with respect to broadcasting and telecasting as may be necessary to enable that Government: (a) To construct and use transmitters in the Province; and (b) To regulate, and impose fees in respect of the construction and use of transmitters and the use of receiving apparatus in the Province: Provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as requiring the Federal Government to entrust to any Provincial Government any control over the use of

The text of the Articles and Entries referred here are as follows: Article 70 (4), Federal Legislative List, Fourth Schedule, Part-I, Entry-7: 7. Posts and telegraphs, including telephones, wireless broadcasting and other like forms of communications, Post Office Saving Bank. Article 99 (3) of the Constitution of 1973: 99. Conduct of business of Federal Government. (3) The Federal Government shall also make rules for the allocation and transaction of its business.

Reasons and material offered in support of the first perspective by which the existence and continued functioning of the Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the four Provincial Departments of Information are said to be entirely justified, comprised elements listed in the following text: That the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan specifically sanctions the existence of the Ministries (and by the information-related Provincial Departments) and thereby legitimizes their role. Reference is made to Article 70 (4) which refers to the Federal Legislative List, Fourth Schedule, Part-I, Entry-7 to be read with Article 99 (3) and to be

3. On the basis of material brought before the Commission on TOR No. A, material both verbally expressed, and in written form, the following three basic, broad perspectives reflect three different views about the role of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other Government agencies in respect of ensuring freedom of print and electronic media and in fulfillment of the spirit and letter of Article 19 and 19 (A): (1) One perspective was provided by the Federal Ministry of Information and the four Provincial Departments of Information and related organizations and departments under their control. This perspective, predictably, strongly