Govt paying Rs320m in dues to media: Shafqat Jalil

Information secretary terms APNS, PBA figures contentious

Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Shafqat Jalil met All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) General Secretary Sarmad Ali in Karachi on Saturday and conveyed his concern over a statement issued by the APNS and Pakistan Broadcasting  Association (PBA) regarding figures pertaining to advertisement dues, which the secretary conveyed are disputed.

“Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has been critical of the use of advertisements as a tool to influence media by previous government,” he said, emphasising the present government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan is committed to a policy of equitable and fair distribution of government advertisements.

The federal secretary also said the ministry is clearing payments of Rs320million while another Rs180 million is being processed for payments and as for the outstanding payments pertaining to the Punjab government the Rs150 million will be paid shortly.

“The figures issued by the APNS and PBA are contentious,” he added.

Jalil also informed the APNS general secretary, in order to find a permanent solution to the issue of release of government advertisements a Draft Advertisement Policy has been circulated among stake holders including the PBA and APNS.

“The government is committed to freedom of expression and support the media industry,” he assured, adding that any proposal to help media industry in their ease of doing business would be given serious consideration by the government.