CPNE lauds NAB, court efforts in unearthing corruption


The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) lauded the efforts of the courts and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for their professionalism and hard work, thanks to which ‘black sheep’ of the advertising agency, Midas Private Limited and Evernew Concepts Private Limited’s owner Inam Akbar, was arrested.

Black sheep like Inam Akbar not only looted billions of rupees from the public exchequer but also caused losses worth billions of rupees to newspapers and advertising agencies.

CPNE condemns media blackout

The CPNE’s Sindh Committee held a meeting attended by all members. A resolution was passed in the meeting asking the Sindh information minister and concerned authorities to stop excessive payments to Inam Akbar’s advertising companies as they already owe outstanding payments totaling millions of rupees to newspapers.

The government must stop the distribution of public advertisements through the likes of Evernew Concepts Limited and Midas Private Limited, says the resolution while asking the Sindh government to devise steps for the clearance of the outstanding dues owed to newspapers on an urgent basis.

CPNE authorities also agreed to meeting with NAB authorities to discuss the issue.

Those who participated in the meeting included CPNE Vice President and Sindh Committee Chairman Amir Mahmood, CPNE Secretary General Aijazul Haq, Senior Members Anwar Sajidi, Qazi Asad Abid, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Mushtaq Ahmed Qureshi, Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Hamid Hussain Abidi, Maqsood Yousufi, Abdul Rehman Mangrio, Muhammad Younus Mahar, Adnan Faisal, Waheed Jamal, Mansoor Korai, Qazi Sajjad Akbar, Ali Bin Younis, Sher Muhammad Khaaro, Amjad Chaudhary, Muhammad Taqi Alvi, Mumtaz Ali, Kashif Hussain Memon, Usman Aarab Satti, Bashir Ahmed Memon, Salman Qureshi, Sohbat Barro, Danish Channa, Muhammad Saleem, Mansoor Khokhar, Zahida Abbasi, Haseena Jatoi, Bilqees Jahan and Samreen Memon.

Inam Akbar at first tried to capture media companies and advertising business in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Some of the sympathisers from the PTI were also favouring him. However, we did not hand over work to him, K-P information minister Shah Farman said.

Skill development: CPNE to hold workshops for journalists

After this he went to Sindh and captured the same business there and after his activities, a big scandal involving billions of rupees came to light.

The information minister said the PTI had launched its election campaign with the slogan of transparency and ending corruption. “The people of K-P had expressed their trust on this very slogan and we formed the government.”

He said the PTI had set up think tanks and reforms were started in different departments in the light of the recommendations of the think tanks. “Therefore, we refused to hand over out-of-turn advertising campaign and business to Inam Akbar.”

Time proved that our decision was right and we escaped a danger, he said. However, Inam Akbar headed to Sindh and he was able to get support of Sharjeel Memon and what he did caused him to be in the clutches of NAB. He said the courts will decide his fate.

Decision comes keeping in mind IHC's stay order lasting till January 17

  • Multi-billion rupee scam: SC dismisses ad agency owner's bail application

    Also dismisses Sharjeel Memon's application, directs him to seek after-arrest bail from SHC


    Original news : https://tribune.com.pk/story/1600958/1-cpne-lauds-nab-court-efforts-unearthing-corruption/