APNS Urges Balochistan Government to Withdraw New Advertising Policy, Warns of Financial Blow to Newspaper Industry

KARACHI: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has strongly criticized the Balochistan government’s newly implemented Balochistan Advertising Policy 2026, describing it as detrimental to the newspaper industry, contrary to transparency principles, and potentially conducive to corruption.

The provincial government enforced the policy on July 1, 2026, despite reservations expressed by media organizations during the consultation process.

Under amendments made to the 2023 policy, all tender notices, auction notices, pre-qualification notices, and Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will now be published exclusively on the Balochistan Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (BPPRA) website instead of being advertised in newspapers.

In a statement, APNS said the policy would significantly reduce government advertising in newspapers, placing the newspaper industry in Balochistan under severe financial strain while also affecting the traditionally cordial relationship between the provincial government and the media.

The organization noted that a similar policy had previously been introduced by the Punjab government but was later withdrawn after APNS raised objections and appealed to the Punjab Chief Minister. It added that no other province in Pakistan currently has such a policy in force.

According to APNS, discontinuing the publication of tender notices in newspapers would not only reduce newspapers’ advertising revenue but also limit timely public access to important procurement information. As a result, many prospective bidders could be deprived of the opportunity to participate effectively in government procurement processes.

The society further argued that restricting public notices to a single online platform could increase the risk of irregularities and weaken transparency in public procurement, making the policy inconsistent with the principles of open governance and procurement regulations.

APNS has called on the Balochistan government to immediately withdraw the advertising policy and formulate a revised media policy in consultation with media organizations. It said such an approach would help preserve constructive relations between the government and the press while addressing the concerns of the province’s newspaper industry through mutual dialogue.