KARACHI, Oct 2: All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has urged upon the Federal Government to promulgate the Publications and Press Registration Ordinance without further delay as there existed no press laws in the country, a press release issued by the APNS on Tuesday said.

Kazi Asad Abid, Secretary General APNS, announcing the decisions taken at the Executive Committee meeting of the Society, stated that the members from across the country noted with concern that after the lapse of RPPO, there was a void of press laws governing the industry.

The Ministry of Information was handed over the final draft of the ordinance agreed upon by the APNS and CPNE with the Ministry in March, 2001, and the APNS was informed that the Council of Islamic Ideology had already cleared the draft ordinance. The Secretary Information had assured that the ordinance will be enacted by the end of September .

The Executive Committee, in a resolution, directed APNS acting President and Secretary General to devise an action plan, “if the government fails to promulgate the ordinance by October 15, 2001.”

The Executive Committee also considered the reports of the regional press committee and decided to finalize its recommendation on the issues faced by the regional publications in a full dressed discussion in the next meeting to be held in Peshawar.

The Executive Committee considered the report of the Secretary General on May-June clearance period and directed the Secretariat to take appropriate action in recovery of the reported dues of member publications.

The members expressed grief over the demise of veteran journalists Mr Akhater Ali Shah, Editor Daily Pasban Hyderabad, Maulana Ismail Zabih and Mr Nayyar Alvi. —PPI