Rs 580 million disbursed among media houses during 2009-11: Memon

KARACHI: Sindh Information Department has paid more than Rs 580 million to the print and electronic media for advertisements during last two years, 2009-11. This was notified by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon during a Question Hour in Sindh Assembly (SA)’s budget session here on Wednesday. Memon said that the Sindh Information Department owes no dues to the electronic media while the total outstanding dues of print media are estimated at Rs 108.798 million till May this year that will be paid soon. Memon said a fair, transparent and impartial policy had been adopted regarding the distribution of government advertisements to print and electronic media. He informed the House that Sindh Information Department worked as a bridge between the government and the people. “Sixty-one information officers are working in Sindh Information Department, out of which 41 officers are based in Karachi while 20 officers are performing their duties in different districts of Sindh. They promote government development programmes,” he added. Informing the House about preservation of important documents and collections, he said that the vital documents of SA proceedings that had been taken away by the Punjab Assembly, were retrieved and preserved by the Archives Department. He said, “Archives Department has sought help of the British Library and other important libraries in this regard. Rare maps since 1873 have been preserved which have a record of each district.” Memon said that disabled quota was being followed strictly in Sindh Information Department regarding appointments and all matters were decided on merit. He also suggested to the members of Sindh Assembly to pay regular visits to Archives Department to remain well informed about Sindh’s history. – Dailytimes