“The All Pakistan Newspapers Society convened today an emergency session chaired by APNS President Hameed Haroon in response to what was described as an ‘astonishing and ill-conceived’ resolution on the state of Pakistani media passed late last week by the Punjab Assembly.
While rejecting in its totality the controversial 9th July resolution, publishers at the packed session described the contents of the resolution scandalising national media as ‘a crude attempt to divert public attention’ from the ‘unseemly’ number of fake graduation degree-holders present in the Punjab legislature.
APNS members were also of the unanimous opinion that the Punjab government had failed to institute timely security measures to prevent the Data Darbar mayhem in Lahore. Rather than reflecting upon this failure, the legislature had resorted instead to demonstrating ‘an inability to assume responsibility in response to the subsequent public outrage.’ ‘The virtual absence of parliamentary oversight demonstrates an unforgivable criminal neglect. Why chose this very moment to blame the national media for your own failures?’ was the question rhetorically posed by the APNS President.
“The burning issue today is the unbecoming conduct of the Punjab legislature. Why attack freedom of the press, when upon oath, you have undertaken as members of the Punjab Assembly, to defend Article 19 to the fullest?” the APNS President concluded in his address.
APNS members - as per the resolution unanimously passed at the emergency session -felt ‘embittered’ at ‘the self-serving allegations’ hurled by the members of the Punjab legislature, with respect to ‘regional and ethnic discrimination’ and ‘irresponsible reporting prompted by vested interests’ in the national media. Meanwhile the Punjab Chief Minister, the Speaker and the government benches - representing both the PML (N) and PPP – and ‘even’ the opposition PML (Q) – ‘collectively - as if by prior arrangement - observed a silent acquiescence’ during the passage of the resolution.
The APNS resolution unreservedly declares: “The Punjab Assembly - in its transgression of constitutional proprieties and by virtue of an irresponsible conduct - has demonstrated that it - rather than the national press - represents a threat to a smooth progression of the democratic ethic.”
The APNS strongly deplored the consistent indifference of the Sindh Government to clear the long outstanding dues of member publications for ads released by the Sindh Information Department, stated a press release of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society.
Sarmad Ali, Secretary General, APNS has stated that the Executive Committee of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society at its meeting held under the chairmanship of its President, Hameed Haroon on June 30, 2010 at Karachi considered the inordinate delay of the payment of over Rs.360 million owed by the Sindh Government to the APNS member publications which has compelled the APNS to suspend the advertisements of the provincial government in member publications on June 18, 2010. The Executive Committee noted with concern that despite suspension of its advertisements, the Sindh Government does not intend to get itself restored and has chosen to release its advertisements in non-APNS publications as well as dummy newspapers. This approach is not only unethical but encourages malpractices in the release of advertisements. The publication of ads of tender notices, vacancies and other important legal announcements in such newspapers which seldom appear, would result not only in the wastage of public money but would also deprive the eligible parties to participate in the competition for tenders and vacancies etc. The Executive Committee urged upon the Chief Minister to act immediately and advise the concerned departments to release the payments against the outstanding bills of APNS member publications so that the ban on Sindh Government advertisements is lifted.
The Secretary General has stated that the Executive Committee considered the report of the Advertising Committee and decided to grant provisional accreditation to M/s. Firebolt63, Lahore and confirmation of accreditation to M/s. Creative Junction (Pvt.) Ltd. Lahore, M/s. Repcom Advertising, Karachi, M/s. Time & Space Media (Pvt.) Ltd., Lahore and M/s. Value Added Marketing Services (VAMS), Karachi.
The Executive Committee also considered the applications for associate membership of the Society and through secret ballot, granted associate membership to Daily Express Multan, Daily Express Lahore, Daily The Business, Faisalabad and Daily Jang, Multan.
The Executive Committee approved the presentation for the construction of APNS House at Karachi. The members appreciated the efforts of the President, Mr. Hameed Haroon and authorized the office bearers to proceed in this respect.
The Executive Committee considered the complaint of M/s. Midas (Pvt.) Ltd. alleging malpractices by a member publication and decided to refer the matter to the Advertising Committee to examine the allegations and report its findings for suitable action as per rules of the Society. The meeting was attended by the following :
Hameed Haroon, President APNS, Muhammad Aslam Kazi, Sr. Vice President, Umer Mujib Shami, Vice President, Sarmad Ali, Secretary General, Ms. Shimaila Matri Dawood, Joint Secretary, S.M. Munir Jillani, Finance Secretary, Anwar Farooqui (D/Aghaz), Ch. Noor Ahmed (D/Asas), Mohsin Bilal (D/Ausaf),Waseem Ahmed (Daily Awam, Quetta), Mumtaz A. Tahir (D/Aftab), Arshad A. Zuberi (D/Business Recorder), Syed Faseih Iqbal (D/Balochistan Times),Najamuddin Sheikh (D/Deyanat), Najam-ul-Hassan (F/Engineering Review), Aijaz-ul-Haq (D/Express), Ms. Qudsia K. Khan(D/Financial Post), Kazi Asad Abid (D/Ibrat), Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah (D/Kainat), Javed Mehr Shamsi (D/Kaleem), Aamir Mahmood (M/Kiran), Syed Sajjad Bokhari (D/Musawat), Bilal Mehmood (D/Nawa-i-Waqt), Dr. Waqar Yousuf Azeemi (M/Roohani Digest), Riaz Ahmed Mansuri (M/The Cricketer), Syed Haroon Shah (D/Wahdat), Dr. Jabbar Khattak (ex-officio), Mushtaq Ahmed Qureshi and Masood Hamid attended as special invitees.
The Annual General Council Meeting of the APNS held on March 31, 2010 has unanimously elected Hameed Haroon as President, Muhammad Aslam Kazi as Senior Vice President, Syed Sarmad Ali as Secretary General, Umer Mujib Shami as Vice President, Shimaila Matri Dawood as Joint Secretary and Syed Muhammad Munir Jilani as Finance Secretary of the Society.
The AGM held under the Chairmanship of Mujib-ur-Rahman Shami, President for the year 2009-10, unanimously approved the report of the Executive Committee for the preceding year as well as the Annual Accounts of the Society.
The General Council, attended by 228 members from across the country, formed an Election Commission headed by Mahmud-ul-Aziz, Altaf Hassan Qureshi and Kamal Ahmed Farooqui as members. The Election Commission conducted the election to the Executive Committee for the year 2010-11. Following were elected :
Karachi Daily Seats:
Aghaz, Business Recorder, Deyanat, Express, Kainat and Millat
Lahore Daily Seats:
Dawn, Jang, Khabrain, Musawat, Nawa-i-Waqt and Pakistan
Rawalpindi/Islamabad Daily Seats:
Asas (Rawalpindi) and Ausaf (Islamabad)
Balochistan Daily Seats:
Awam (Quetta) and Balochistan Times (Quetta)
Frontier Daily Seats:
Mashriq (Peshawar) and Wahdat (Peshawar)
Sindh excluding Daily Karachi:
Ibrat (Hyderabad ) and Kawish (Hyderabad)
Punjab (excluding Lahore/Rwp/Ibd.):
Aftab (Multan), Business Report (Faisalabad) and Paigham (Faislabad).
General Seats (Metropolitan Dailies):
Al Akhbar (Islamabad) and Pakistan Observer (Islamabad)
The President -elect nominated Qudsia K. Khan on woman publishers seat.
The APNS Council considered the Govt.-Press relations, the state of newspaper industry as well as the problems faced by member publications. The General Council in a special resolution noted with concern that the Federal as well as provincial governments are victimizing some publications for their political affiliation which negates the freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
The General Council urged upon the Federal and provincial governments to stand by their commitments for freedom of press and refrain from victimizing the newspapers that do not follow the officials dictates. The Council was informed by Daily Times and Daily Aajkal that the Punjab Government has almost stopped the release of provincial government advertisements to their publications as a reaction to their editorial contents which is a gross violation of freedom of press. Likewise, the Daily Surkhab, Peshawar complained that the provincial government of NWFP has refused to release advertisements to the publication on account of their political stances against the ANP government. The publication was threatened that no provincial advertisements would be released to the publication unless it follows the position of the ANP Government. The members based in NWFP have also reported to the Council that the Information Department of NWFP have adopted discriminatory approach while releasing government advertisements which are being distributed to irregular publications while the senior and genuine publications were being completely ignored. This has resulted in the acute financial crunch to the newspaper industry in the province. Daily Azadi, Swat briefed the members that the Federal and provincial governments have not so far honored their commitments to compensate the publication for the loss incurred due to terrorist attacks and military action resulting in damages to their office premises. The General Council adopting a resolution urged upon the Federal Government, the Punjab Government and the Frontier Government to ensure that while releasing advertisements, the political affiliations and editorial contents of newspapers shall not be taken into account so that judicious, equitable and transparent distribution of government advertisements is ensured.
The General Council was addressed by Mujib-ur-Rahman Shami, Hameed Haroon, Syed Faseih Iqbal, Dr. Jabbar Khattak, Jamil Ather, Khushnood Ali Khan, Prof. S.B. Hassan, Altaf Hassan Qureshi, Mumtaz A. Tahir, Mumtaz Sadiq, Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, Qudsia K. Khan, Fauzia Shaheen and other members across the country.
“The Annual General Council of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society will meet on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Karachi, “ stated a press release of the APNS.
Dr. Jabbar Khattak, Secretary General, All Pakistan Newspapers Society has announced that the Annual General Council will discuss the conditions prevailing in the newspaper industry and take decisions to address the problems faced by the member publications. The General Council will be attended by members across the country and will finalize its recommendations on the issues pertaining to the Govt. – Press relations, press laws and the future of the industry. The members will consider and adopt the report of the Executive Committee for the preceding year and elect members to the Executive Committee for the year 2010-2011. The new Executive Committee will elect its office bearers for the new term.
The Secretary General, APNS has requested publishers of full member publications to attend the above Council meeting positively.”
“ The 20th APNS Awards Ceremony will be held on March 09, 2010 at Islamabad wherein awards will be distributed among the winners of journalist and advertising agencies. The Ceremony will be attended by publishers, editors, prominent media practitioners, advertising agencies and distinguished personalities from different walk of life i.e. judiciary, diplomats, political leaders, senior officials and intelligentsia.
The APNS has issued the invitation cards to the guests of the Ceremony and requested them to reach the venue definitely by 7:00 p.m.
The President APNS, Mr. Mujib-ur-Rahman Shami has decided that the Presidential Award for Best Public Relations be awarded to Mr. Moazzam Ali Khan of Ufone whereas the Best PRO for 2007-08 has been awarded to Mr. Tahir Basharat Cheema of PEPCO.
M/s. Midas (Pvt.) Ltd., Lahore has won the 20th APNS highest business award.
The APNS has announced the winners of the 20th APNS Advertising Agency Awards for the period 2007 – 2008, which will be given at the APNS Awards Ceremony expected to be held in the end of February 2010 at Islamabad.
On the basis of claims for entries in Business Awards Categories, duly verified from member publications, following were declared winners of the Business Performance Awards for the period 2007-2008 :
BEST BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AWARD:
M/s. Midas (Pvt.) Ltd., Lahore
SPECIAL BUSINESS AWARDS:
M/s. Orient Advertising (Pvt.) Ltd.: for Periodical publications
M/s. Orient Advertising (Pvt.) Ltd. for Regional publications
M/s. Maxim Advertising Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. for Metro B publications
CLIENT PERFORMANCE AWARD (Public Sector):
Pak Telecom Mobile (Ufone), (Interflow)
CLIENT PERFORMANCE AWARD (Private Sector):
Pakistan Mobile Communication (Orient Advertising)
The Panel of Judges for the 20th APNS Agency Awards consisted of the following prominent advertising experts :
Mrs. Yasmin Lari, Executive Director, Heritage Foundation, Karachi. Mr. Talib S. Karim, Executive Director, Institute of Business Management, Karachi. Mr. Rafiq Rangoonwala, Cupola Pakistan Ltd, Karachi and Mr. Ziauddin Jeddi, Karachi.
The panel of judges selected the following entries for awards in the different categories :
BEST NEWSPAPER AD
Client: Dawn News Agency: M/s. Pirana Advertising
Caption: Hear the art. See the art
BEST PERIODICAL (MAGAZINE) AD
Client: M/s. Invision International Agency: M/s. JWT Asiatic
Caption: Cricket experts believe there should be grass
BEST CAMPAIGN
Client: M/s. Visa Agency: M/s. Manhattan International
Caption: Feel the urge to splurge, Enjoy the good life with Visa.
BEST AD FOR A SPECIFIC PRODUCT OR BRAND
Client: PIA (Speedex) Agency: M/s. Spectrum Communications
Caption: Squeeze the most out of this summer
BEST CORPORATE AD
Client: M/s. UBL Fund Management Agency: M/s. Synergy Advertising
M/s. Orient Advertising by winning highest business award for the 19th consecutive time, a feat unsurpassed in the history of Pakistan advertising. This year, the agency has won four awards in different categories.
The APNS has announced the winners of the 19th APNS Advertising Agency Awards for the period 2005 – 2006, which will be given at the APNS Awards Ceremony expected to be held in the end of February 2010 at Islamabad.
On the basis of claims for entries in Business Awards Categories, duly verified from member publications, following were declared winners of the Business Performance Award for the period 2005-2006 :
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AWARDS:
M/s. Orient Advertising (Pvt.) Ltd.
SPECIAL BUSINESS AWARD:
M/s. Orient Advertising (Pvt.) Ltd. for Periodical publications
M/s. Orient Advertising (Pvt.) Ltd. for Regional publications
M/s. Midas (Pvt.) Ltd., Lahore for Metro B publications
CLIENT PERFORMANCE AWARDS (Public Sector):
Pakistan Telecom Mobile (Ufone), (Interflow)
CLIENT PERFORMANCE AWARDS (Private Sector):
Pakistan Mobile Communication (Orient Advertising)
The Panel of Judges for the 19th APNS Agency Awards consisted of the following prominent advertising experts :
Mrs. Yasmin Lari, Executive Director, Heritage Foundation, Karachi. Mr. Talib S. Karim, Executive Director, Institute of Business Management, Karachi. Mr. Rafiq Rangoonwala, Cupola Pakistan Ltd, Karachi and Mr. Ziauddin Jeddi, Karachi.
Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Mr. Kashif Effendi and Mr. Ali Mustansar could not attend. The panel of judges selected the following entries for awards in the different categories :
The Panel selected the Creative Awards. Out of 7 awards, M/s. Synergy Advertising (Pvt.) Ltd. won three awards, M/s. Adgroup (Pvt.) Ltd. won two awards whereas no entry for Best Advertisement in Magazines deserved an award as per decision of the panel of judges. The winners of the Creative Awards are as under :
BEST NEWSPAPER AD
Client: Ministry of Health Agency: M/s. Adgroup (Pvt.) Ltd.
Client: Bank Al-Falah Ltd. Agency: M/s. Synergy Advertising
Caption: Take it around the world
BEST CORPORATE AD
Client: M/s. Habib Bank Ltd. Agency: M/s. Synergy Advertising
Caption: Standing Tall
BEST PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN
Client: Ministry of Health Agency: M/s. Adgroup (Pvt.) Ltd.
Caption: Pakistan and India face to face in Cricket
The judges unanimously decided the APNS ad as Best Public Service Ad but in view of APNS being the award giving organization, it was decided to give a consolation certificate to the creative agency, M/s. Midas (Pvt.) Ltd.
The APNS has announced the winners of 18th APNS Journalist Awards for the period 2005-06 which will be given at the APNS Award Ceremony. The Panel of Judges for 18th APNS Journalist Award consisted of the prominent writers and intellectuals namely, Justice ® Nasir Aslam Zahid, Farhad Zaidi, Dr. Shahjehan Syed, Chairman, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Peshawar University, Prof. Tauseef Ahmed Khan, Federal Urdu University, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Executive Director, Eye Television Network Ltd., Karachi, Ameena Sayed, Managing Director, Oxford University Press, Murtaza Solangi, Director General, Pakistan Broadcasting Corp., Islamabad, prominent intellectual and writers Bakhtiar Ahmed, A.B. Shahid, Qamar Shahbaz and Sirajul Haq Advocate.
The Panel selected the following awards :
The Best General Investigative Report
Syed Shoaib Hasan, Monthly Herlad, Karachi
Intekhab Amir, Monthly Herald, Karachi
Best Investigative Report (Business/Economic)
Ayesha Siddiqa, Monthly Newsline, Karachi
Best Investigative Report (Development/Environment)
Noman Ahmed, Daily Dawn, Karachi
Best Scoop
Ghulam Hasnain, Monthly Newsline, Karachi
Best Column Award (English) Mahir Ali, Monthly Newsline, Karachi
Best Column Award (Urdu)
Tariq Mahmood Mian, Daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Karachi
Muhammad Bilal Ghouri, Daily Mashriq, Peshawar
Best Column Award (Provincial Language)
Murtaza Siyal, Daily Ibrat, Hyd.
Best Feature Award (English)
Ziad Zafar, Monthly Newsline, Karachi
Best Feature Award (Urdu)
Rizwan Ahmed Tariq, Daily Jang, Karachi
Best Feature Award (Provincial Language)
Humerah Noor, Fortnightly Ibrat Magazine, Hyd.
Best Article Award
Narjis Ara Malik, Daily Jang, Karachi
Best Cartoon
Muhammad Zahoor, Daily Times, Lahore
Khaliq Khan Paki, Daily Jang, Karachi
Best Photograph Award
Qazi Usman Hussain, Daily Express, Islamabad The Chairman, Panel of Judges, President, APNS, Mujib-ur-Rahman Shami has decided that in the General Investigative Report, Best Column Urdu and Best Cartoon, both the entrants secured equal marks will be given the awards jointly.
Executive Committee finalised recommendations on the issue after reviewing drafts formulated by the society’s advertisement and provincial committees and member publications.
The society proposed that a quota of 65 per cent of advertisements be fixed for publications based in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi or Rawalpindi and 25 per cent for publications coming out of Hyderabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Multan and Faisalabad. The remaining 10 per cent was proposed to be set aside for publications based in other towns.
The society also proposed that distribution of advertisements be based on the National Finance Commission award so that publications based in all provinces got their due share.
Each member daily be provided at least 2,000 centimetres of ads and the member periodicals at least 500cms every month.
The APNS decided to forward the recommendations to the ministry of information.
