CPNE Pushes for ABC Reforms, Presses Information Minister on Media Industry Dues
Kazim Khan-led delegation raises newspaper industry concerns with Attaullah Tarar; both sides agree to overhaul circulation audit system
ISLAMABAD — A delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), led by President Kazim Khan, met Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Advocate here on Tuesday, with reforms to the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) emerging as a central focus of the talks.
The meeting covered a wide range of issues confronting the newspaper industry, including the ABC reform process, the budget of news agencies, outstanding dues owed to media houses, and the persistent problem of dummy newspapers.
Minister Tarar was accompanied by Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil and Principal Information Officer (PIO) Raisa Adil. The CPNE delegation included Secretary General Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Ex-Secretary General Aijaz-ul-Haq, Secretary Finance Arif Baloch, Ex-President Irshad Arif, Vice President (Sindh) Kazi Asad Abid, Vice President (Punjab) Mian Ahmed Hassan, Vice President (Islamabad/Rawalpindi) Shakil Ahmed Turabi, Vice President (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Tahir Farooq, Joint Secretary (Islamabad/Rawalpindi) Yahya Khan Saduzai, and member Rafey Niazi.
Both Sides Agree on ABC Overhaul
In the key outcome of the meeting, Tarar and CPNE office-bearers agreed in principle to introduce reforms to the Audit Bureau of Circulations system — a step long sought by the newspaper industry to improve credibility and fairness in circulation reporting.
Tarar said the government believes in an independent, responsible and strong print media, and that negotiations would continue with all concerned parties to resolve the industry’s problems. He described reforming the ABC system, and making it more effective and transparent, as “the need of the hour.”
He added that ABC reforms, along with settlement of media houses’ dues and matters relating to news agencies, would be taken forward on a priority basis, and pledged full cooperation from the ministry in addressing the industry’s concerns.
New PIO Welcomed
The CPNE delegation congratulated newly appointed Principal Information Officer Raisa Adil on assuming charge, expressing confidence that cooperation between the Information Ministry and the media industry would strengthen further under her leadership. The delegation also acknowledged the services of outgoing PIO Mubashir Hassan and extended their best wishes for his future endeavors.
