Rights and recognition: ‘Govt should issue printing contracts to local publishers’

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Frontier Printers and Publishers Association has pressed the provincial government to issue all printing contracts of government and private institutes to local publishers.

The demand was put forward during a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday. The association’s president, Zafar Khattak, said outsourcing is rare in other provinces.

“On the contrary, printing responsibilities for all government and private institutions are taken on by local publishers,” he said. “The K-P government should adopt a similar system as it could prevent countless injustices faced by local publishers.”



According to Khattak, the local publishing industry has been dealt a critical blow due to outsourcing. “We must realise that the livelihood of thousands of people is at stake,” he said. “If no action is taken, the employees will suffer.”

Tax exemption

He shared textbook, printing companies and publishers enjoy tax exemptions in other provinces.

“However, companies in K-P have to pay hefty taxes to the government,” he said. “The provincial textbook board wants us to print textbooks on tender basis for the next academic year and start working in August.

But the government has failed to announce the tenders. I strongly urge them to announce the tenders and issue contracts to local publishers.”

Khattak demanded a ban on private publishing companies, saying they have fuelled corruption and nepotism. He also threatened to take to the streets if these demands are not met.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th,  2015.