PBA urges PM’s involvement in dues settlement

The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has urged caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and interim Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi to take “immediate action” and direct the authorities concerned to clear their dues of approximately Rs3.5 billion.

A statement issued by the PBA stated that an emergent meeting of the board of directors was convened on Friday in Karachi to discuss the “critical financial situation” that had arisen due the federal and Punjab government’s non-payment of electronic media dues accumulated over a period of last one year.

“Approximately bills worth of Rs3.5 billion are outstanding against both these governments,” the statement read, adding that “this amount does not include previous dues”.

The statement noted that the delay in payment would “seriously jeopardise” media operations and electronic media’s ability to honour its liabilities including workers’ salaries.

The PBA members emphasised the “urgent need” for both the federal and Punjab governments to fulfil their financial commitments immediately.

The Association, in the statement, warned that the PBA and its members would be forced to safeguard their interests by “all possible legal and constitutional options” available in case the governments fail to pay the “legitimate dues within the next 10 days”.

The body urged PM Kakar and CM Naqvi to take “immediate action” and advise the authorities concerned to clear “all PBA members’ dues”.