A representative delegation of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Committee, led by Chairman Pir Haroon Shah, met with KP Information Secretary Matiullah Khan to discuss outstanding newspaper dues, the issuance of government advertisements, and the pressing financial challenges confronting print media in the province.
The delegation urged the immediate release of the allocated Rs. 400 million earmarked for clearing dues to newspapers before June 30 to prevent the funds from lapsing. Pir Haroon Shah said newspapers have been under severe financial strain due to non-payment over the past four months, adding that with commercial advertising in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa nearly non-existent, government advertisements remain vital to the survival of print media. He also called for newspapers published from Peshawar to be given due representation in display advertising allocations.
Information Secretary Matiullah Khan assured the delegation that no funds would be allowed to lapse and that all approved amounts would be released promptly. He further pledged that the distribution of advertisements would be conducted transparently, on merit, and with equal opportunity for all eligible publications.
The delegation welcomed the secretary’s assurances and expressed hope that the move would help ease newspapers’ financial difficulties and contribute to the stability and sustainability of print media in the province.
Accompanying Chairman Pir Haroon Shah were: Ashraf Dar of Roznama Awam Un Naas, Bilal Afridi of Daily Frontier Post, Qaiser Rizvi of Roznama Jadid Peshawar, Sardar Naeem of Roznama Qaid, Javed Afridi of Roznama Paigham-e-Khyber, senior journalist Bari Malik of Roznama Watan, Zahid Hafeez of Roznama Sarhad, Ahmed Ali of Roznama Sirkhab, Mufti Ashfaq of Roznama Al-Haq, Syed Sadr-ul-Ali Shah of Roznama Al-Falah, and Azmat Khan Daudzai of Roznama Paighamat Peshawar.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation thanked the Information Secretary. Members of the journalist community described the engagement as a positive and encouraging step toward resolving longstanding issues and strengthening print media in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
