CJ directs authorities to verify claims of media houses within four weeks

ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (APP):Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has directed the federal government to verify the claims of media houses to suggest road-map for release of dues to them within a period of four weeks.
The chief justice decided this while chairing a meeting held here in the Supreme Court building regarding release of pending dues of electronic media, said a press release on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by federal minister finance, federal minister information, broadcasting and heritage, Sindh minister information, federal secretary, ministry of finance, federal secretary ministry of information, provincial secretaries information, Sindh and Punjab. Chairman Pakistan Broadcast Association (PBA) and members of its Executive body also attended the meeting.
However, the government of Punjab, Sindh and KPK conceded that payments due would be resolved within four weeks subject to verification of claims.
At the outset of the meeting, the chief justice of Pakistan told the participants that the meeting was being conducted in the backdrop of salary issue of media personnel that were not paid monthly salaries by their owners and they were being deprived of their jobs.
Most of the media houses were trying to shut their business on account of nonpayment of dues by the federal as well as provincial governments.
This issue was connected with survival and sustenance of the media workers, right to life which was a fundamental right of every citizen of Pakistan.
The chief justice of Pakistan asked all the media houses and owners, not to deprive the media workers of their jobs on account of nonpayment of dues by the government.
The meeting also deliberated upon issues and discussed in detail different ways and means to resolve the issue.