KARACHI, Sept 20: The executive committee of All Pakistan Newspapers Society has rejected the notification issued by the ministry of information on the formation of 8th Wage Board, saying the nomination of APNS office- bearers has been made without its consent.

APNS Secretary General Masood Hamid said after a meeting of the executive committee on Thursday that names of APNS office-bearers had been ‘arbitrarily’ included as employers’ representatives despite an APNS letter dated May 24, 2013, clearly stating that the ministry had no right and jurisdiction to nominate APNS office-bearers on the board. The committee was told that despite the written withdrawal of names, the ministry had included APNS representatives in the board, said a press release.

“The ministry has no power to act on behalf of an independent organisation,” members of the committee noted. The committee adopted a resolution which asked the ministry to withdraw the notification immediately.

Meanwhile, the committee expressed concern over the federal government’s decision to issue tender notices on websites and said it was tantamount to depriving the print media of a sizeable quantum of advertisements and prospective bidders of access to such important public information. The committee advised the members not to publish any ad containing the information to visit the website for display of tender notices, etc.