The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) welcomed and expressed its appreciation after the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government decided to approve Rs800 million to settle long-standing dues owed to newspapers.

The CPNE praised KP Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi and his cabinet for resolving the issue. The approval of the funds was seen as a significant support measure to newspapers in the province.

Previously, the CPNE had taken legal action by filing a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court, demanding that the provincial government clear all back payments. The court responded by issuing directives to ensure the clearance of these dues.

In their official statement, the CPNE also highlighted the broader significance of this decision. They view it as a recognition of the integral role that newspapers play in society and urged other provincial governments to adopt similar measures. The council emphasized the need for ongoing cooperation between the media and public sector institutions. CPNE reiterated its commitment to working alongside government stakeholders to tackle issues.