The Executive Committee of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society at its meeting held in Islamabad on August 10, 2015 under the chairmanship of its President, Hameed Haroon, has urged upon the Federal Government to take serious note of the problems faced by the newspaper industry especially the smaller and regional newspapers.
Sarmad Ali, Secretary General, APNS announced that the Executive Committee considered the report of non-payment of dues of print media by the Federal Government and provincial governments and requested the Federal Government to clear the long outstanding of member publications duly verified and audited by the PID relating to the Ministry of Information, devolved ministries and dues relating to the Federal Government departments for the period 2008-2012.
The Executive Committee pointed out that the commitment of Federal Government towards an increase in the Federal Government advertisements rate, has not been notified despite various assurances. The members expressed their concern on the implementation of Centralised Media Policy framed as a part of draconian press laws during the Ayub era. They pointed out that the advertisers must have their choice of media selection hence, the implementation on Centralised Media Policy be stopped and existing system be restored.-PR