All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) assured of government commitment to Press freedom | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) assured of government commitment to Press freedom

ISLAMABAD- Secretary Information Khwaja ljaz Sarwar reiterated government’s firm commitment to freedom of the Press. He was addressing a meeting of All Pakistan Newspaper Society held under its President Mir Shakilur Rehman.

The Secretary Information underlined the importance of objective and responsible journalism and said the government would welcome suggestions from the Press while pursuing the seven-point agenda of the Chief Executive. Ijaz Sarwar said, the government’s commitment to freedom of expression is evident from the fact that it has not taken any step to curb this right. “Actually, we have facilitated the freedom of the press,” he said, while referring to the release of Rs 174 million outstanding ads dues to the newspapers.

He assured the APNS representatives that the government would look into paying other outstanding ads dues as well. “The government is committed to clear outstanding dues to the Press.”

The APNS President presented a draft of the Press Council of Pakistan to the Secretary Information. He also presented to the Secretary Information a draft of and comments on Access to Information Act/Ordinance as well as the Press, Newspapers and Books Registration Act/Ordinance.

Mir Shakil ur Rehman appreciated the government for being alive to the problems facing the newspaper industry. He lauded the Secretary InformationÂ’s interest and the Ministry of Information’s role in responding promptly on the issue of outstanding ads dues. “We appreciate the cooperation extended by the Ministry of Information in clearing the ads dues,” he said.

The APNS representatives apprised the Information Secretary of the problems facing the newspaper industry.

Source: The Nation
Date:5/17/2000