Islamabad, Oct 17 (IANS): Stating that freedom of the press was essential for strengthening democracy, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government had given "unprecedented freedom" to the press.

"The PPP-led government has extended unprecedented freedom to the press which was not given by any government in the past," Gilani said at the Lahore Press Club.

He said PPP governments had always provided freedom to all in the country without discrimination and had never imposed restrictions on media institutions, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

Acknowledging the role of journalists against dictatorial and autocratic regimes in the country, he said their sacrifices for the freedom of expression and social liberties had paved the way for rejuvenated democracy in the country.

Democracy and the media go hand in hand and freedom of the media guarantees sustained and stable democracy, the prime minister said.

Gilani announced Rs.10 million as financial assistance for the welfare of working journalists of the Lahore Press Club.

The Lahore Press Club is one of the leading press clubs in the country with a membership of 1,200 journalists.