KARACHI: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has regretted that the present democratically elected government is resorting to use advertisements as a tool to silence fair and objective comments in the print and electronic media.

In a statement issued after a meeting of the APNS executive committee presided over by Society’s President Hameed Haroon it said that the members pointed out that the quantum of advertisements of the federal government and various provincial governments had not only been curtailed but the advertisements were also being released to selected media whereas other genuine publications were being denied.

“The President briefed the members on the proceedings of the 8th Wage Board and explained the salient features of the deliberations held in the concluding sessions. The Executive Committee decided to hold its Award Ceremony in the month of February 2020 wherein the winners of 23rd journalist awards and 24th advertising awards will be bestowed their awards,” said the statement.

APNS Secretary General Sarmad Ali, Joint Secretary Syed Muhammad Munir Jilani, Finance Secretary Shahab Zuberi and its other members also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2019