The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has strongly condemned the Punjab government’s recent amendment to the Procurement (PPRA) law, which restricts tender advertisements in newspapers. CPNE warns that this decision, if not reversed, will severely impact the newspaper industry, threatening the survival of small, medium, and regional publications across the province and endangering the jobs of thousands of media professionals.

In light of the situation, CPNE has taken proactive steps by forming a Joint Action Committee in collaboration with the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). The committee has resolved that, should the government fail to retract the amendment, they will explore all legal avenues, appeal to relevant forums, and, if necessary, initiate protests.

The CPNE leadership, including President Irshad Arif and Secretary General Ijaz-ul-Haq, has called upon Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to intervene promptly to prevent the collapse of the newspaper industry. They emphasized that the amendment not only jeopardizes the financial health of the press but also undermines the principle of transparency in public advertising, a cornerstone of our democratic society.

Expressing frustration over the Punjab government’s unfulfilled assurances, CPNE noted that the amendment remains in place despite prior commitments to support the press, intensifying the financial burden on newspapers already struggling to stay afloat.

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has also strongly denounced the Punjab government’s amendment to the PPRA rules. APNS raised concerns that this policy could critically damage the already struggling newspaper sector, mainly smaller and regional publications, potentially leading to closures and widespread job losses.