PESHAWAR: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has thanked the Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Finance Muzzammil Aslam for granting approval to pay the long outstanding dues of newspapers on the request of the society.
A press release said that Pir Haroon Shah, chairman APNS KP Committee, attended a meeting on February 4 convened by Muzzammil Aslam.
Secretary Information Bakhtiar Khan, Director General Information Imran Khan, Additional Secretary Information Hazrat Ali and officials of the provincial departments were also in attendance.
The secretary information briefed the adviser, stating that various government departments owed approximately Rs1.55 billion to newspapers, out of which Rs80 crore had been reconciled, while reconciliation of around Rs770 million was in progress.
Muzzammil Aslam, the press release said, had assured the delegation that the issues of the newspaper industry would be resolved on a priority basis and approved the payment of Rs800 million.
He directed that Rs400 million be released immediately, while the remaining Rs400 million would be paid in June with the budget. He instructed that the reconciliation of Rs770 million be completed by June, so that a total payment of approximately Rs 1,170 million could be made possible.
The adviser said that he had received a briefing from Sarmad Ali, president APNS, and that the provincial government was taking steps to resolve the issues of the newspaper industry.
At the end of the meeting, Pir Haroon Shah thanked the adviser and the provincial government, hoping that this decision would help alleviate the financial difficulties faced by the newspaper industry in the province.
