Decision not to buy newspaper copies for government offices upsets APNS

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 June 2022

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society has requested the Prime Minister to review a decision discontinuing newspaper purchases for federal offices. They argue this will cripple the struggling newspaper industry and deteriorate press-government relations.

Summary

KARACHI—The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has requested Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to review and withdraw the decision to discontinue the purchase of newspapers for federal government offices.

In a statement, the APNS expressed its profound concern on a news item stating that the federal government, as part of austerity measures, has decided to discontinue the purchase of newspapers and magazines for the offices of the federal government ministries, departments, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies.

According to Sarmad Ali, President, and Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani, Secretary-General of the APNS, the decision has sounded a death knell for the newspaper industry struggling for survival in the current bleak economic environment. "It was an ill-advised, as well as a true description of a penny-wise pound-foolish, measure."

The APNS further stated that the decision, if implemented, would have a devastating impact on the liquidity conditions of the already crisis-ridden newspaper industry and would poorly reflect on the relations between the present unity government and the media.

"It would only save some peanuts but would be highly counterproductive for press-government relations and survival of print media," the statement said.

KEY POINTS:

• APNS calls for a review of the government's decision on newspaper purchases.
• Austerity measures threaten the survival of the newspaper industry.
• Concerns over deteriorating press-government relations are raised.
• The decision could severely impact the liquidity of newspapers.
• APNS describes the measure as counterproductive for the media.