APNS, CPNE thank PM for ordering payment of outstanding dues

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) have expressed their profound gratitude to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid for deciding the long pending issues of print media and directing immediate payment of outstanding dues against the federal government pertaining to the Information Ministry, devolved ministries and unpaid dues against federal government departments for the period 2008-2012.
In a press release, President APNS Hameed Haroon and President CPNE Mujibur Rahman Shami on behalf of the APNS and CPNE expressed their thanks towards the kind gesture of the prime minister in addressing the long pending problem of outstanding dues which has caused acute financial crunch to the newspaper industry and had badly reflected upon the relations between the federal government and the newspaper industry. They stated that the decision of the prime minister would go a long way in supporting the media in braving the liquidity problem faced by newspapers and advertising agencies and would also promote cordial relations of the industry with the federal government.
The APNS office bearers stated that the APNS-CPNE delegation held a meeting with the prime minister on June 17 wherein the issue of long outstanding dues was explained to him. The premier was told that a total verified amount of Rs790 was outstanding against various ministries and departments of the federal government including Information Ministry and devolved ministries. The prime minister on APNS request also advised the Information Ministry to notify the long committed increase in government advertising rates with immediate effect.
The APNS and CPNE office bearers hoped that the assurances and directives of the prime minister would be implemented without further delay.