Punjab says formulated mechanism on request of CPNE for payment to publications

Spokesperson says legislation for this purpose prepared, sent for cabinet’s approval

LAHORE: Punjab Government Spokesperson Mohammad Ahmed Khan said the provincial government has managed to formulate a mechanism to make prompt payments to publications on the request of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE).

“Legislation for this purpose has been prepared and sent for the approval of the provincial cabinet. According to the legislation, publications will be paid directly after the deduction of agencies' commissions,” Khan said during a meeting of the CPNE Punjab committee in Lahore on Thursday.

The meeting, chaired by the CPNE vice president and its Punjab Committee Chairman Rehmat Ali Raazi, was attended by CPNE President Zia Shahid and Secretary General Aijazul Haq.



Senior members Arif Nizami and Baber Nizami, Ayaz Khan, Syed Irshad Ahmed Arif, Ali Ahmed Dillon, Zulfiqar Ahmed Rahat, Tanveer Shokat, Waqas Tahir Farooq, Mozzam Fakhar, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, Nasheed Raee, Bedar Sarmadi, Ghazi Shahid Rasheed, Muneer Amhed Nolakha, Bashir Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Akmal Chohan, Mehtab Khan Sherwani, Aslam Mian, Sardar Abid Aleem, Syed Mohsin Zanjani, Hafeezullah Shah, and Punjab Information's DG Public Relations also attended the gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, the Punjab government spokesperson said, “I also want it as a matter of principle that the newspapers should be given their payments immediately."

“The government is already considering a fair distribution system for ads. Suggestions given and issues raised by the CPNE will be dealt accordingly.”

Punjab PR DG Shahid Iqbal informed the participants that he had made payments of around Rs2.19 billion to newspapers on account of advertisements after resuming office and further payments will be made in the coming weeks.

Prior to this, Zia Shahid spoke of his supplications in the Supreme Court while representing the CPNE. “We clarified that the CPNE is a representative body of publications' editors, which according to its constitution has the right to submit its suggestions and proposals on the mechanisms of distribution of government ads, their distribution and the legislation required in this regard.”

He said advertisement agencies are not making payments to the publications despite receiving their total outstanding dues from the government, due to which the newspaper industry is in severe crises.

While thanking Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the spokesman, CPNE Secretary General Aijazul Haq said by accepting the CPNE demand for paying the publications 85% after deducting 15% as agency commission, the government has won the hearts of all of the journalist community.

The meeting demanded that information regarding fair distribution and payments made should be displayed on its website for clarity. It was regretted that some elements while using the CPNE's platform have protected their personal interests and the corruption of some malpractitioners.

“We have continuously tried to stop these individuals from using our platform for their personal benefit but they have continued their practices and have not even spared causing financial damage to others.”



It was asserted that CPNE is the supreme organisation of the editors and will not be used by anyone for personal corruption or gains.

It was also conceded that by using the CPNE's platform, huge financial benefits have been acquired in the past which have caused immense damage to small regional publications and professional journalists.

“We will not compromise on freedom of expression and the rights of journalists,” it said.

The attitude of those personalities was severely condemned in the meeting and it was decided to form a committee to investigate the damage being done during their term and the people responsible for it.

Show cause notices have been issued to individuals who have used the CPNE's platform for their personal gains and interests. They have been instructed to file their response within a week, otherwise disciplinary action would be taken against them.