The Peshawar High Court (PHC) directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Department to immediately release the first instalment of long-pending dues owed to newspapers, amounting to approximately Rs 400 million.

The order was issued on a writ petition filed by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) seeking recovery of outstanding payments. The court directed the department to complete the payment process and submit a compliance report, while coordinating with the Finance Department to complete reconciliation as soon as possible for the release of the second instalment.

Earlier, on  July 30, the Peshawar High Court directed newspaper owners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to settle all outstanding salaries and dues of journalists and media employees within one month, warning of potential legal consequences in case of failure to comply.