KARACHI: The APNS thanked Muzamil Aslam Advisor Finance KP Government for approval to pay the long outstanding dues of newspapers on the request of APNS.
Pir Haroon Shah, Chairman APNS KP Committee attended the meeting held on February 4, convened by Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Finance, Muzamil Aslam, wherein Secretary Information Dr Bakhtiar Khan, Director General Information Imran Khan, Additional Secretary Information Hazrat Ali were also present. The meeting was also attended by various secretaries and additional Secretaries of provincial departments.
The Secretary Information Dr Bakhtiar Khan briefed the Finance Advisor, stating that various government departments owe approximately Rs 1.55 billion to newspapers, out of which Rs 80 crore has been reconciled, while reconciliation of around Rs 77 crore is in progress.
Muzamil Aslam assured the delegation that the issues of the newspaper industry would be resolved on a priority basis and approved the payment of Rs 80 crore. He directed that Rs 40 crore be released immediately, while the remaining Rs 40 crore would be paid in June with the budget. Additionally, he instructed that the reconciliation of Rs 77 crore be completed by June, so that a total payment of approximately Rs 117 crore could be made possible.
The Advisor Finance stated that he had also received a detailed briefing from Sarmad Ali, President APNS, and that the provincial government is taking serious steps to resolve the issues of the newspaper industry.
At the end of the meeting, Chairman APNS Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pir Haroon Shah thanked the Finance Advisor, the provincial government, Secretary Information, Director General Information, Additional Secretary Information, and President APNS, expressing hope that this decision would significantly alleviate the financial difficulties faced by the newspaper industry in the province.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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