CM urged to take notice of non-payments to printers, publishers by PCTB

Lahore: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Secretary, Secretary Education and Secretary Schools to take notice of non-payment of Rs.5.5 billion to the printers and publishers by Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board as they are facing a severe financial crisis.

The demand was raised by President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashif Anwar while talking to a delegation of printers and publishers led by Khalid Pervaiz at LCCI.  LCCI Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry, former President Muhammad Ali Mian, former Vice President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol, Secretary Information All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran Zikaria Butt and Chairman All Pakistan Printers Association Syed Makram Abbas also spoke on the occasion.

The delegation informed the President that Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board had issued a tender worth Rs. 15 billion for the printing of text books for students of government schools. However, they payment of Rs. 5.5 billion for this printing is still pending.

They said that the price of paper has increased many times and if the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board does not pay the remaining Rs.5.5 billion to the printers and publishers, the textbooks will not be printed for the next academic year and millions of students will not be able to get free books. This will also put their career on stake.

They said that the government should immediately take notice of this situation and issue an order to pay the Rs.5.5 billion to the printers and publishers because tenders are issued only when there are funds available. Printers and publishers should be paid according to the terms of the tender otherwise they will be forced to protest strongly.

LCCI President Kashif Anwar expressed concern over this situation and urged Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Secretary, Secretary Education and Secretary Schools to take immediate action to make payments of Rs. 5.5 billion to the printers and publishers the businesses are already facing various challenges.

He said that the academic career of millions of students is on stake. The economic situation would further aggravate therefore, the government should resolve this issue at the earliest.