Independent Report
Lahore, October 28, 2025
The Punjab Committee of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) held a meeting at a local hotel under the chairmanship of Jameel Athar Qazi. The discussion focused on government-print media relations, the share of print media in Punjab government’s advertisement budget, pending payments to newspapers, and measures to simplify the payment process.
Representing the Punjab government, Secretary Information Punjab Tahir Raza Hamdani and DG PR Fareed Ahmed attended the meeting. APNS representatives included Chairman Jameel Athar Qazi, Chief Editor of Daily Pakistan Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Joint Secretary Mohsin Bilal (Ausaf), SM Munir Gilani (Paigham), Syed Sajjad Bukhari (Ibtik), Humayun Gulzar (Siadat), Imran Raza (Dawn), Bilal Mahmood (Nawa-i-Waqt), Muhammad Farooq (Pakistan), Fahad Safdar (Sarzameen), Noorullah (Jang), Amjad Iqbal (Jinnah), Naveed Chaudhry (Daily City 42), Imran Athar (Jurat), Rehman Athar (The Business), Ashraf Sohail (Mashriq), and Ali Sajjad (Mint Mirror).
The meeting noted that a formula for settling pending payments between DG PR and APNS had been agreed upon, and positive measures to streamline the payment process have already begun implementation. Regional newspapers also raised concerns regarding the issuance of IPL and Color SPL, to which the Secretary Information assured that these issues would be resolved and actions implemented before the next meeting.
Secretary Information Punjab Tahir Raza Hamdani highlighted that government-print media relations are exemplary and efforts are ongoing to further strengthen them. He suggested that newspapers modernize their operations, expand readership, and make effective use of information technology to reach a wider audience.
Chief Editor of Daily Pakistan and senior journalist Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami remarked that complaints are natural, but if addressed through dialogue, relationships remain positive. He added that the current government comprises serious and understanding officials who are aware of how to resolve industry issues.
APNS Punjab Committee Chairman Jameel Athar Qazi welcomed the guests, listened to members’ feedback, and offered suggestions. He noted that government-print media relations are now stronger and more friendly than ever before. He concluded by thanking Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani and DG PR Fareed Ahmed for their participation in this special meeting.
