KARACHI, July 24: The All-Pakistan Newspapers Society in a statement by its action committee has again deplored "coercive actions of the government against the press , manifested in the continued ban on government advertisements to Nawa-e- Waqat, The Nation and other newspapers" and urged the president and prime minister to intervene.

The APNS noted that the ban, lasting several months, had badly affected press-government relations. "This state of affairs suggests that the ministry of information has embarked on a policy of using advertisements as a lever against certain newspapers to dictate policy which is contrary to the assurances repeatedly given by Gen Pervez Musharraf."

The APNS statement has urged the president to intervene in the matter and direct the government to sort out the issue amicably and appealed to the prime minister to facilitate a meaningful dialogue with the APNS for settlement of the issue.