KARACHI: Before the end of his tenure as chief executive of the country, interim prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso approved the establishment of a welfare fund for journalists targeted in conflict zones, it emerged on Thursday.

A notification issued for the purpose on May 15 said death of a journalist, or a disability suffered by him/her, created all sorts of financial and social problems for his/her family. “It is imperative to reduce the agony of the family and to provide financial assistance [to them],” it added.

Seed money of Rs10 million for the fund has to be provided by the information ministry through the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.

The government will also seek contributions for the fund from media houses and organisations like the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the All Pakistan Newspapers Society. Under the initiative, Rs500,000 shall be given to the family of any journalist dying in the line of duty and Rs300,000 to a journalist who suffers amputation of an organ.

The family of a journalist who dies in an accident will be given Rs200,000, according to the notification. Up to Rs200,000 will be paid for treatment of a journalist suffering from a serious ailment, including cancer.

The notification said a committee comprising the information secretary, principal information officer and presidents of the leading press clubs would approve the money to be given under the initiative.