ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar shared that country’s newspapers received advertisements worth Rs 9 billion while news channels were allocated Rs 6 billion in government advertisements.

Responding to Senator Sarmad Ali Khan’s query regarding criteria for news channels and newspapers, he emphasised that newspapers were facing a financial crisis, prompting current government to provide special attention and support. He explained that, according to 1997 Services Manual, advertisements are distributed to news and media outlets.   He added that new advertisement policy was introduced in 2021 and amended in 2022. “There is no specific criteria to gauge eligibility of electronic media for advertisements.  However, our rates committee allocates advertisements based on ratings of news channels,” he said. He confirmed that no advertisements for any news channel had been halted by current government. He clarified that main criterion for advertisements is to effectively convey intended message to maximum audience, with rating system for news channels aiding in this goal. Additionally, Audit Bureau of Circulation verifies circulation figures of newspapers and issues advertisements to most widely circulated ones, he added. He mentioned that 10 percent duty on imported paper used for newspapers was initially imposed but later waived off in Budget 2024-25, with no new taxes imposed due to prevailing financial crisis.  He urged House to improve and make current advertisement policy more effective under guidance of mover of question and All Pakistan Newspapers Society. Meanwhile, Tarar reacted to PTI founder Imran Khan’s statement regarding participation in all-parties conference on Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, expressing hope “He remains steadfast on it”.