ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: President Gen Pervez Musharraf will be the chief guest at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, starting from Dec 29.

An announcement by the APNS said the celebration would commence on Dec 29, with President Gen Pervez Musharraf as the chief guest on the opening session.

APNS President Arif Nizami has thanked President Musharraf for his gracious consent. He also thanked Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Information Secretary Syed Anwer Mahmood for their cooperation in this regard.

APNS Secretary-General Mohammad Aslam Kazi announced on Wednesday that the APNS anniversary committee has chalked out a detailed programme of events to commemorate the golden jubilee of the society.

The celebrations would begin with an opening session attended by publishers, editors and prominent media people as well as the distinguished personalities from different walks of life.

The APNS has planned to publish a befitting brochure on the occasion wherein the importance of print media and the contribution of the APNS in shaping the social fabric of the society on democratic and civilized manners during the last 50 years would be highlighted.

The brochure would also acknowledge the services of the APNS in promoting and protecting the freedom of press and democratic norms. The opening session would be followed by workshops, seminars and exhibitions in all the provinces to mark the celebrations.

The APNS secretary-general has announced that the invitation cards were being dispatched to all member publications, accredited advertising agencies, prominent advertisers and guests. The APNS Secretariat, Karachi, may be contacted for any assistance required by the invited people.