Press Release
Ref:APNS/2011/ January 12, 2011
The Editor,
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Dear Sir,
Please creed the following news item and oblige :
“The APNS expresses its profound gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for accepting the APNS requests during a meeting with Executive Committee of the APNS at Islamabad on January 10, 2011.
Mr. Hameed Haroon, President APNS apprised the Prime Minister that the APNS is building its headquarters at Karachi which needs government support for meeting the expenses and requested the Prime Minister to sanction a sum of Rs.50 million towards the construction cost. He also requested the Prime Minister to be the chief guest at the foundation stone laying down ceremony of the APNS House. The Prime Minister generously agreed to the APNS request and announced Rs.50 million grant for the construction of the office building at Karachi which will be paid in two installments : Rs.25 million in the month of January, 2011 and the balance after July 2011.
The APNS delegation also pointed out that the advertisement rates for government advertising were frozen in 1982 during the regime of Gen. Zia-ul-Haq and some nominal increases were allowed over a period of time, last being just 20% increase in 2001. The APNS requested the Prime Minister to increase the government advertisement rates in accordance with the CPI increase during the last 10 years which accounted for 135%. The Prime Minister agreed in principle the APNS request for upward revision in the tariff of government advertisement in newspapers which will be decided by the Secretary Information, Mr. Taimoor Azmat and Secretary General, APNS, Sarmad Ali.
The President APNS also stated the Capital Development Authority had earmarked a plot for APNS at Zero Point for its Federal Secretariat but the plot has not been allotted so far, despite various communications. The Prime Minister stated that the Chairman, CDA will be advised to provide the plot to APNS.
The President, APNS pointed out that the Ministry of Education owed a sum of Rs.102,937,059/- to APNS accredited advertising agencies for its ads published in member publications which have not been cleared. The Ministry of Education as per 18th Amendment, is being devolved to provinces which would not accept the liabilities of the Ministry. The Prime Minister very kindly announced to resolve the issues pertaining to the outstanding dues and liabilities of government advertisement, with particular reference to the payments of departments and ministries devolved to provinces.
The APNS delegation also pointed out that the Ministry of Postal Services / Pakistan Post, PEPCO and National Highway Authority had released ads for enormous amount whereas their annual budgets are far less than the advertisement expenses. The Prime Minister advised the Ministry of Information to take up the matter with the concerned ministries / departments.
The APNS hoped that the announcements made by the Prime Minister will bail out the crisis ridden newspaper industry and would strengthen the cordial relations between the government and the press.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
-s/d-
( Dr. Tanvir A. Tahir )
Executive Director
APNS
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