Tarar tells APNS officials: Govt to enforce PM's pledge on ad rate hike
The Federal Information Minister was addressing members of the APNS Executive at a dinner hosted by the Information Ministry.
He stated that the issues of payments faced by the newspapers industry are being addressed and the federal government has paid over Rs.6 billions to the media towards their dues. He announced that the share of print media in the payment as well as the quantum of advertising would be increased.
He assured that the Ministry is putting its best efforts that all dues be cleared regularly leaving no dues pending for payment. He stated that a committee of all stakeholders to weed out dummies has been formed which will benefit the economies of genuine publications. He advised newspapers to innovate themselves in order to brave the challenges being faced by the print media.
The Minister was earlier briefed by the President APNS Senator Sarmad Ali and members of the Executive Committee on the issues confronted by the newspaper industry. The members stated that the Prime Minister in August 2023 had announced increased in the government advertisement rates but the decision has not yet been implemented despite various assurances. They also apprised that the print media was facing acute monetary crunch due to non-payment of their dues as the major share of the payment released was allocated to electronic media, whereas newspapers were paid less than 20% of the released payments. They also requested that a fair share in the quantum of advertisement for the print media be allocated. The members reiterated their demand that the regional PID offices be empowered to suggest media of their region.
The dinner was attended by Secretary Information, Ambreen Jan, Mubashar Hasan, PIO and officials of the Ministry. The APNS was represented by the Muhammad Athar Kazi, Secretary General, Navèed Kashif, Finance Secretary, and other members of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee of APNS held its meeting on July 09 at Islamabad chaired by its President, Senator Sarmad Ali.
Mohammad Athar Kazi, Secretary General announced the decisions of the meeting and stated that the members urged upon the federal and provincial governments to expedite payments of long pending bills to help newspapers to meet the financial crunch faced by the print industry. The members expressed their concern over the non-payment of dues by DGPR relating to previous tenures. The members also decided that a delegation led by APNS President will meet Secretary Information Sindh to press for payment of long overdue non budgeted payments.
The Executive Committee approved the report of Advertising Committee and granted provisional accreditation to M/s Brand Spectrum (Pvt) Ltd Lahore.
The meeting was attended by the following.
Senator Sarmad Ali, President, Mohammad Athar Kazi, Secretary General, Naveed Kashif, Finance Secretary, Mohsin Bilal, Joint Secretary, Mohsin Seyal (Aftab), Bilal Farooqi (Aghaz), Ansar Mahmood Bhatti (Monthly Centre Line), Fauzia Shaheen (M/Dastak), Najamuddin Sheikh (D/Deyanat), Javed Mehr Shamsi (D/Kaleem), Imtinan Shahid (D/Khabrain), Bilal Mahamood (Nawa-e-Waqt), Rasakh Munir (D/Mashriq Peshawar), Aamir Malik (D/ Mashriq Quetta), S M Munir Jilani (D/Paigham), Usman Mujib Shami (D/Pakistan), Faisal Zahid Malik (D/Pakistan Observer), Khushnood Ali Khan ,(D/Sahafat), Humayun Gulzar (D/Sayadat), Imran Ather (D/Tijarat) and Syed Haroon Shah (D/Wahdat).
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt to introduce separate immigration counters for foreign passengers
Listen to article Government will establish separate immigration counters for foreign passengers at all international airports, a government statement said on Saturday, in a move aimed at boosting tourism and investment. The initiative, introduced on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is designed to promote tourism, ensure the smooth flow of trade, and facilitate foreign investment. Government has decided to establish separate immigration counters for foreign passengers at all international airports in the country@PakPMO @MOIofficialGoP #News #RadioPakistan — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 2, 2025 Officials said the dedicated counters will help reduce immigration processing times, making travel more convenient for international visitors. The arrangement is also expected to shorten procedures for returning Pakistani citizens, as passenger flows will be separated. 'This measure is part of the government's broader strategy to make Pakistan more attractive and welcoming for international tourists, investors and business delegations,' an official statement said. The government has recently stepped up efforts to enhance infrastructure and streamline travel procedures to position Pakistan as a more competitive destination in the region.
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pak Business Express derails in Lahore days after inauguration
Listen to article The Pak Business Express derailed near the washing line area in Lahore, days after its inauguration by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Authorities are currently working to place the train back on the track. The derailment has not yet been attributed to a specific cause, Express News reported. According to Railways officials, the train went off track in the early hours and rescue teams were immediately dispatched. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. PM Shehbaz had inaugurated the Pak Business Express train at the Lahore Railway Station earlier this week. The new business train was designed to meet international comfort and service standards, marking a significant upgrade from traditional offerings. Also read: Dozens hurt as Islamabad Express derails Separately, on Friday, over 150 passengers were left injured when five coaches of the Islamabad Express passenger train overturned near Kala Shah Kaku railway station, just 15 kilometres from Lahore, in a terrifying derailment that narrowly avoided plunging the train into a ravine. The train, en route from Lahore to Rawalpindi with hundreds of passengers aboard, met with the accident near the rugged terrain surrounding Kala Shah Kaku. According to the injured passengers, sudden jolts began as the train crossed the stretch near the station, causing five rear coaches to veer off the eastern side of the track and overturn.
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan to set up separate immigration counters for foreign passengers
Pakistan has decided to establish separate immigration counters for foreign passengers at all international airports in the country. The decision comes on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said a press release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). 'The initiative aims to promote tourism in Pakistan, ensure the continuity of trade activities and facilitate foreign investment,' said the press release. PAA inks $15mn deal to strengthen Pakistan's airport security This move is part of the government's broader strategy to make Pakistan more attractive and welcoming for international tourists, investors and business delegations. With the separate immigration counters, returning Pakistanis will be able to complete immigration procedures in less time.
