APNS expresses grave concern over the stoppage of tender advertisements in newspapers by Punjab Government vide amendment in the procurement (PPRA) rules.

Karachi : APNS expresses grave concern over the stoppage of tender advertisements in newspapers by
Punjab Government vide amendment in the procurement (PPRA) rules. The APNS has strongly
rejected the amendment being disastrous for the already crisis ridden newspapers in Punjab as
it would result in the closure and strangulate all medium and regional newspapers across the
province. The Punjab Committee of the APNS at its meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr.
Jamil Athar has urged upon Ms. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab to immediately
intervene in the matter and withdraw the amendment to save newspaper industry from closure
and unemployment of thousands of journalists and newspaper workers.
The APNS committee noted that the amendment would not only badly impact on the economies
of newspapers but would also negate the transparency in the procurement process. The
members were briefed that despite assurances by the Information Minister, Ms. Azma Bokhari
the amendment has not yet been withdrawn hence the newspapers are facing acute financial
crisis.
The members decided to form a Joint Action Committee of media organisations including CPNE
and PFUJ. The committee also decided to take legal recourse and actions and protests on all
available forums if the amendment not withdrawn by the Punjab Govt.
The meeting was attended by Chairman Mr. 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)