Karachi,(Parliament Times): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Advisor Muzamil Aslam assured a delegation from CPNE in a special meeting that the outstanding dues of Rs 1.4 billion for newspaper advertisements would be paid in two installments. The delegation included Ejaz-ul-Haq (former Secretary General), Ghulam Nabi Chandio (Secretary General), and Tahir Farooq, Chairman of CPNE KP.
Explaining the payment procedure, he stated that an understanding regarding Rs 798 million from provincial departments has already been reached, of which 50% will be paid in the first week of March. The remaining dues, whose reconciliation process is underway, will be cleared fully in the new financial year between July and September.
Finance Advisor Muzamil Aslam emphasized that paying the newspapers their due is the government’s responsibility and that this longstanding issue will not face further delays. CPNE has filed a writ petition in Peshawar High Court to recover the years-long pending advertisement dues. The case has been under hearing for the past two years. Due to non-payment, the High Court has issued a contempt notice against the Secretary of Finance. The next hearing is scheduled for February 23 at Peshawar High Court.