April 1, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 2, 1427

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KARACHI, March 31: The annual general council of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) observed here on Friday that the press-government relations witnessed a deterioration over the past year.

According to a press release, the meeting said the ministry remained indifferent over issues relating to the print media, especially amendments to the Freedom of Information Ordinance and the formation of the Press Council of Pakistan.

The council pointed out that the agreement between the government and the APNS relating to amendments to the Newspaper Employees Conditions of Service Act, 1973, formation of Press Council, Freedom of Information Ordinance, Cross-Media and the Defamation Ordinance must be honoured.

The council “endorsed the actions taken by the Wage Board Committee and Executive Committee against the arbitrary Wage Board Awards in the LHC and SHC, challenging the vires of the NECOSA-1973 and the 6th and 7th Wage Boards”.

A resolution adopted by the council said: “The members of the AGM reiterated their resolve not to implement the 7th Wage Board Award and said they were prepared to take all political and legal steps to get the NECOSA-73 scrapped from the statue book and withdrawal of the 7th Wage Board Award.

“The AGM directed its members, office-bearers and executive committee not to accept the formation of 8th Wage Board and no member would be nominated on the incoming wage board. The AGM authorised the Executive Committee to take disciplinary action against any member that violates the directive contained in the resolution.”—PPI