KARACHI, July 27: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has requested the governor and chief minister of Sindh to intervene in the curtailment of government advertisements to some newspapers by Sindh Information Department and consistent default by the Karachi City Government in clearance of outstanding dues of member publications and clearance of bills of print media towards Sindh Government advertising.

The Sindh Provincial Committee of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society at its meeting here has noted with concern that the Karachi City Government has not cleared the dues of member publications against its advertisements amounting to Rs17,613,315 despite various assurances by the city nazim and officials of the CDGK.

The APNS has been constrained to ban all advertisements of the city government, union and town committees and departments under its control. The committee has also noted that despite suspension, the city government has not made any effort to clear the dues.

It was therefore, decided that an advertising campaign against the default of the city government be launched in newspapers to impress upon the city government to clear the outstanding dues. The Sindh Provincial Committee has also requested the non-APNS members not to publish the ads of the suspended client.

The committee observed that the Sindh Information Department has stopped or effectively curtailed government advertisements to Nawa-i-Waqt, The Nation, Financial Post, Millat Gujrati and Action despite efforts and assurances by adviser to the chief minister on information.

The committee also noted that the dues of member publications are long outstanding against the Sindh Government since 1990 which has only partially been cleared.

The Sindh Provincial Committee decided to request Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim to meet the APNS delegation to discuss these matters for an amicable and urgent settlement.