All Pakistan Newspapers Society held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 31, 2026, at APNS House. During the meeting, Sarmad Ali was unanimously re-elected as President for the new term. The decision reflects continued confidence in Sarmad Ali’s leadership within Pakistan’s print media sector.
Along with Sarmad Ali, other office-bearers were also elected for the upcoming term. Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani was chosen as Senior Vice President. Shahab Zuberi was elected as Vice President. Muhammad Athar Kazi will serve as Secretary General. Mohsin Bilal was named Joint Secretary, while Naveed Kashif was elected Finance Secretary.
The meeting was chaired by Sarmad Ali. During the session, the council approved the Executive Committee’s report for 2025-26. It also endorsed the annual accounts for the year 2025. These approvals highlight the organization’s focus on transparency and governance.
The AGM also discussed serious challenges facing the print media industry. Members expressed concern over the worsening economic and geopolitical situation. They stated that many newspapers are facing financial pressure. Some publications are even at risk of closure.
In response, the council urged the federal government to increase advertisement rates. These rates were previously approved during the tenure of Shehbaz Sharif. The council also called on both federal and provincial governments to clear outstanding dues. It further requested a dedicated share for print media in official advertising budgets.
Another key issue raised during the meeting was the suspension of government advertisements to Dawn Media. The council criticized this decision, noting that the suspension has continued for the past 17 months. Members termed the move unjust and expressed full support for the media group.
A total of 118 members from across the country attended the AGM. An Election Commission, led by Mumtaz Ahmed Phulpoto, was formed to conduct elections for the Executive Committee for 2026-27. The process was completed smoothly.
Several leading newspapers and magazines were elected unopposed to the Executive Committee. These included Daily Dawn, Daily Jang, Daily Nawa-i-Waqt, and Daily Dunya. Zahida Abbasi of Daily Nau Sijj secured the women publishers’ seat.
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The newly elected committee appreciated the Election Commission for its effective role. With Sarmad Ali continuing as President, the APNS aims to address key challenges and support the growth of Pakistan’s print media industry.
