Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has urged the people as well as the electronic and social media users to play a responsible role and avoid unnecessary comments on foreign policy issues in view of prevailing regional situation.

He was addressing a press conference in Islamabad today flanked by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhary.

Azam Nazeer Tarar called for pursuing a responsible journalism, exercising caution while reporting and stressed that the country's interests should be given top priority.

He said Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, stressing that there would be reasonable restrictions on it under the law. He said it does not permit unnecessary debates that could compromise relations with brotherly nations.

The Minister said the masses have the fundamental right to freedom of expression, but one must be careful when it comes to the glory of Islam, the integrity, security and defence of Pakistan and friendly relations with foreign countries.

Azam Nazeer Tarar said the region is passing through a difficult phase and Pakistan is playing its due role to defuse the regional tension through its vibrant foreign policy and careful diplomacy.

He said as a nation, we must keep in mind that we have to keep the constitution and Pakistan's foreign policy under consideration while expressing our views.

The Minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held telephonic conversations with their counterparts in the region and postponed the visit to Russia keeping in view of the prevailing regional situation.

In his remarks, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar urged the media persons to come forward with the state narrative and put country's interest at topmost priority by setting aside their personal liking and disliking.

Attaullah Tarar said the Foreign Office has played a key role during the current situation. He said Pakistan's interests are paramount for us and any kind of unnecessary comments on social media about foreign policy are harmful.

The Minister said we have close and friendly relations with the regional countries. He said negative V-logging only for the sake of views on the relations between two countries can be harmful. He said attracting views by creating sensation is also harmful for the country as creating a sensation in the current situation is not the service of Pakistan.