The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has expressed serious concern over restrictions on press freedom and the challenges faced by the print media industry in Pakistan.

During a recent meeting of CPNE’s Standing Committee, held in Lahore and presided over by President Irshad Ahmed Arif. He highlighted the key role of print media in promoting responsible journalism and stated that while social media is often the source of government complaints, it is the mainstream media that face the consequences, including threats to their independence.

Arif warned that the print media was “heavily reliant” on government advertisements due to declining private sector budgets, leaving the print media vulnerable to increased pressure.

Secretary General Ijazul Haq said that withholding government advertisements was a tool to pressure media organizations, adding the need to identify the root cause of the issues. Senior Vice President Anwar Sajidi described the print media situation in Balochistan was going through “one of the toughest periods in history.”

Vice President for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tahir Farooq briefed the committee on the issue of pending payments to Peshawar-based newspapers, adding that the matter is expected to be resolved by June. Kazim Khan called for the repeal of “anti-media laws” and urged legal protections for journalists and media outlets.

Members also condemned the issuance of notices by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to newspapers and criticized the suspension of government advertisements to Dawn.

CPNE released the draft of its Pakistan Media Freedom Report, which documents journalists killed, injured, or forced into exile between 2024 and 2025.

Seven publications were granted associate membership based on the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations. The committee also resolved to file an FIR if the advertising agency Medias fails to clear outstanding dues within a week.

The next General Council meeting of CPNE will be held in Karachi on May 3, 2025.