Politics

Media agencies disappointed at caretaker PM’s remarks

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Caretaker PM says media should generate money on its own.
Media body says federal govt owes almost Rs2 billion to newspapers.
Media achieved freedom through a long struggle with many sacrifices.

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan (PRAP) all expressed disappointment with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s comments regarding print media earlier this week, reported The News on Thursday citing separate statements of the modies.

In response to a query regarding the Ministry of Information’s pending summary of an increase in government advertising rates, the prime minister said that the print media should alter its flawed business model and generate money on its own rather than relying on government support.

The APNS said that the prime minister seemed to be misinformed about the issue because print media does not ask for government grants or subsidies; rather, newspapers run government advertisements at reduced costs.

The APNS maintained that the government advertising rates are far lower than the commercial — about one-fourth of commercial rates — adding the outgoing prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, had announced a long-pending increase in the government advertisement rates, the summary of which is still lying with the Finance Ministry.

The APNS stated that, alarmingly, the federal government owes almost Rs2 billion to newspapers in payment of long outstanding bills.

If the respected prime minister thinks this business model is flawed, the print media is prepared to correct the flawed model by withdrawing these subsidised rates being offered to the government by newspapers, the APNS stated.

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) expressed surprise over the inadequate information the caretaker PM has, as he linked media freedom with the government advertisement.

The CPNE said that PM Kakar had been fed misleading information about the media.

The CPNE stated that, according to PM’s statement, the media had to struggle for its freedom and that the struggle would be done through his money.

It said that newspapers and magazines had never demanded personal funds, rather every government and every institution is obliged to media for publicity.

According to the CPNE, the fund meant for advertisements is not the money of any ruler, rather it is the taxpayers’ money which should be justly distributed under the head of advertisements.

It said nowhere in the world do governments do business, control the advertisements and seek favour from the newspapers and magazines about the matters pertaining to editorial.

The CPNE said that the media had not taken its freedom in a beggar’s bowl, as it achieved it through a long struggle with many sacrifices.

The organisation’s standing committee in a meeting with the prime minister on October 12 (Thursday), had made it clear that it had no objection to the distribution of ads, rather it wanted implementation of the previous government’s promise to increase ads rate and clearance of the arrears pending since years.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan (PRAP) termed the treatment of media representatives, during PM Kakar’s press conference, an act of authoritarianism.

PRAP President Usman Khan and Secretary Naveed Akbar Chaudhary, among other officials, expressed concern over derogatory behaviour with the media representatives during the question and answer session at the press conference.

They said PRAP believed that the prime minister’s behaviour in the press conference was humiliating.

The PRAP said the PM, instead of talking about his caretaker government’s performance, tried to give a lecture by unnecessarily criticising the media representatives.

They said such behaviour did not befit this important position, adding the PM should not blame the incompetence of his official media team.

They condemned the information minister for ordering some media representatives not to enter the Prime Minister House. The PRAP said it would stage a walkout from the Senate against the PM’s behaviour.

Latest News

Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on a private television station, said that the PTI is always coming to the streets, which really lessens the impact of a protest.

He also suggested to the PTI leadership that rather than carrying on with the agitation, it should finally put a hard hand down, which would be the final nail in the coffin.

He continued, citing the JUI protests as an example, saying, “We had a strong grip over our protesters and workers, so neither road was closed nor any property damage occurred during protests.”

The PTI has the right to protest, but Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the party’s agitation strategy as insufficient, stating that it is currently being “exposed which maynot be a good sign’.

Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, promised not to go back home unless the PTI founder was freed. During their demonstration, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, encouraged the party officials to come up with strategies to avoid being arrested.

According to an alleged audio recording, she stated that November 24 will be a loyalty test for PTI members.

Additionally, the government of Islamabad has enforced section 144 for a period of two months, which prohibits processions, rallies, demonstrations, and meetings of five or more individuals in the city.

As per the notification, the prohibition forbade meetings in any public space inside the boundaries of Islamabad, including the Red Zone, which encompasses important government buildings, diplomatic missions, and other sensitive sites.

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PTI representatives conjecture in the media over Imran’s approval of bail: FIA investigator

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The hearing on the PTI founder’s bail application in the Toshakhana-2 case has resumed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), with Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb serving as the presider.

The hearing was attended by the defense attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, and FIA prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi.

Judge Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb told the FIA prosecutor to “leave the media alone and exempt yourself from them” in order to avoid commenting on the media. The statement followed the prosecutor’s assertion that the bail would be granted, which had previously been reported by media sources.

In addition, the court questioned whether the receipts in question were issued in the name of Bushra Bibi or the PTI founder itself. Bushra Bibi’s name was on the receipts listed in the challan, according to Barrister Salman Safdar.

Defense arguments
The defense expressed displeasure about the case’s 3.5-year registration wait. The prosecution has swore in Sohaib Abbasi and made Inamullah Shah a crucial witness without requiring them to take an oath.

Barrister Salman Safdar highlighted that multiple agencies, including NAB, FIA, Police, and the Election Commission, have initiated actions related to the Toshakhana case, suggesting procedural redundancy.

Regarding a phony Toshakhana receipt, he contended, the Kohsar Police Station has also filed a case.

Position of the prosecution
The FIA prosecutor, Umair Majeed Malik, maintained that the valuation of the jewelry set mentioned in the case would be explained in the prosecution’s evidence.Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked, “If the media does not spread sensationalism, how will they conduct their business?” He dismissed rumors about his health, stating that he was present and hearing the case despite such reports.

Status of Co-Accused
The court was informed that Bushra Bibi, a co-accused in the case, is currently on interim bail and awaiting a decision by Judge Afzal Majuka. Barrister Salman Safdar expressed hope that Judge Majuka would soon announce his verdict.

Latest News

Naqvi visits Fazl to express gratitude for contributions to the 26th amendment.

Published

4 days ago

Farwa

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi convened with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to deliberate on issues of shared concern and the current political landscape in the nation.

In today’s meeting in Islamabad, Mr. Naqvi asked about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s health and sent his best wishes for the JUI chief’s well-being and future pursuits.

Naqvi extended his appreciation to Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his crucial contribution to the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he characterised as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legislative history.

Following the meeting, Naqvi commended Mr. Fazlur Rehman’s commitment to the nation, asserting, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman has consistently prioritised Pakistan’s interests, and his contributions to the country are indispensable.”

The experienced politician reaffirmed his dedication to Pakistan and its populace, stating, “Our priority has consistently been Pakistan and the well-being of its citizens.”

Senator Kamran Murtaza attended the meeting.