Firdous says govt to pay media dues in two tranches

ISLAMABAD: Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said role of the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP), the Implementation Tribunal of Newspapers Employees (ITNE) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) are being strengthened on a permanent basis to resolve salary issues of media workers.

Briefing Senate Standing Committee on Information on Thursday, Dr Firdous, who is special assistant to PM on information, said the regulatory authorities would also be empowered and restructured to ensure resolution of the issues of media workers.

“Pemra should link job security and timely payments to media workers before issuing licence to a channel. The government is duty bound to protect the rights of media workers and owners alike and outstanding dues of media houses are being cleared on war footings,” she said.

The adviser said the first tranche of the outstanding dues of media houses would be paid before Eidul Fitr with the obligation to clear outstanding dues of media workers immediately.

She said media houses owners were initially claiming Rs5 billion to 7 billion outstanding dues for ads; however, after a series of consultations, the outstanding dues had been rationalised. “The government has agreed to clear outstanding dues of media houses in two or three tranches,” she added.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP