CPNE delegation calls on Secretary IB&NH

CPNE delegation calls on Secretary IB&NH
CPNE delegation calls on Secretary IB&NH

ISLAMABAD, July 28 (APP): A delegation of CPNE Executive
Committee members headed by its President, Zia Shahid and Secretary General Aijaz ul Haq held a meeting with Secretary Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH) S.M. Imran Gardezi to discuss issues related to print media on Thursday.

It was decided in the meeting that the advertisement related
data would be placed on the website of Press Information Department (PID), twice a week, said a press release issued here.

It was also decided that necessary bills and invoices of the
newspapers would be included in the advertisement claims submitted by the advertising agencies to the PID for verification and payment w.e.f July 1, 2016.

The Secretary informed the delegation that on the request of
Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), the Ministry had notified a high powered Liaison Committee headed by Secretary M/O IB&NH to meet regularly with CPNE to resolve issues related to print media.

It was decided in the meeting that CPNE would forward names for liaison committee after consultation.

The issue of media security was also discussed in details.

CPNE while appreciating the steps taken in the federal territory for conducting security audit of the media houses, expressed concern over the delay in replicating the same in the provinces.

The Secretary assured the delegation that every step possible would be taken in this regard and provincial governments would be activated to ensure safety and security of Media Houses in the provinces.

It was the responsibility of the government to provide conducive  environment to the media for its free fair and secure functioning, he added.

Relating to the allotment of plot to CPNE, the Secretary informed the delegation that necessary steps were being taken to implement the directive of the Prime Minister for provision of plot to the CPNE for its Headquarters in Islamabad.

CPNE also raised the issue of stringent process being adopted by PIA and Pakistan Railways for providing discount on local travel to the media persons.

It was decided in the meeting that the matter would be taken with the concerned departments for facilitation of media persons.

Imran Gardezi assured the delegation that the process would be  simplified to ensure the facility to the working media persons.

CPNE further raised the issues related to federal government
advertisements.

The Secretary said that Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and  National Heritage respected the genuine demands of CPNE in this regard.

On the request of the CPNE, it was decided by the meeting
that the necessary bills and invoices of the newspapers would be included in the advertisement claims submitted by the advertising agencies to PID for verification and payment with effect from July, 1.

It was also decided that in the next meeting with CPNE all
issues related to advertisements would be discussed in details in the lights of rules and regulations.

The Secretary also informed that the PID had introduced
transparent system for distribution of advertisements by placing all details weekly on its website.

On the request of CPNE it was also decided that the PID would ensure placement of all advertisement related data on its website on twice a week basis.

The Secretary said that the PID ensures advertisements to the regional and smaller newspapers on equitable basis.

Other matters relating to Audit Bureau of Circulation and Registration  of Newspapers were also discussed and a committee was formed which will discuss these matters in details.

The meeting of the committee will be held on August 10.
In his concluding remarks, Zia Shahid thanked Secretary, IB&NH for arranging the meeting and hoped that the ministry would take necessary steps for resolution of issues related to print media.

Principal Information officer (PIO) Rao Tehsin Ali Khan, and
other senior officers of the Ministry also attended the meeting.

APP Services