KARACHI, June 16: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society has condemned an inordinate delay by the Sindh information department in clearing outstanding dues despite assurances by the chief minister.

A press release said a meeting of Sindh-based member publications of the APNS, chaired by its president, Sarmad Ali, deplored the indifference of the Sindh information department to the matter, saying that dues of member publications amounted to Rs427 million while those of advertising agencies stood at Rs146 million.

The outstanding amount has been growing because of non-payment of current dues, the APNS said. Members noted that despite assurances by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, the information department has held up payment.

“This situation has placed newspaper establishments in a position where they cannot meet their obligations towards their employees and other vendors,” the APNS added.

Members were astonished to note that on the one hand, the dues of print media had been withheld while on the other, the information department had approved an advertisement campaign of Rs200 million to highlight the government’s performance, the APNS stated.