KARACHI: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has expressed concern over the stoppage of tender advertisements in newspapers by the Punjab government.

The Punjab Committee of APNS at a meeting, presided over by Jamil Athar, urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to immediately withdraw the amendment to the procurement (PPRA) rules to save the industry from closure and thousands of workers from unemployment.

The APNS rejected the amendment being disastrous for the already crisis-ridden newspapers as it would result in the closure of all newspapers.

The APNS noted that the amendment would also negate transparency in the procurement process. The members were briefed that despite assurances by Information Minister Azma Bokhari the amendment has not yet been withdrawn.

The committee decided to form a Joint Action Committee of media organisations, including the CPNE and PFUJ. It also decided to take legal action and hold protest on all available forums if the amendment was not withdrawn.

The meeting was attended by Chairman Jamil Athar, Irfan Ashraf (Jang), Imran Raza (Dawn), Mohammad Farooq (Pakistan), Sheikh Furqan (Khabrain), Safdar Ali Khan (Sarzameen), Awais Raazi (Taqat), Mohsin Mumtaz (Aftab), Imran Athar Kazi (Tijarat) and Irfan Athar Kazi (Jurrat)

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2024