ISLAMABAD: In the light of the directives of Prime Minister Office for clearing outstanding payments of media organisations, the Press Information Department (PID) has taken up the issue with all the federal ministries/departments/organisations and expedited the payment process.

In this connection, the first tranche of payment worth Rs63 million was distributed by Shahera Shahid, Principal Information Officer, among advertising agencies concerned.

The advertising agencies have undertaken to clear the payment of newspapers and channels against the received amount within 48 hours.

The purpose of this exercise is to ensure that the media houses should start making timely payments to their workers before Eid.

Both the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and the Pakistan Broadcasters Association were consulted before the distribution of cheques and a representative of the APNS was also present during the distribution of cheques.

It needs to be clarified that this is the first tranche and the efforts are being made to clear the outstanding payments before Eid.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2020