All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) is an organization of major Pakistani newspapers owners, including Jang Group, Dawn Group and Nawa-i-Waqt Group.
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History
The All Pakistan Newspapers Society has been headed by Hameed Nizami, Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman, Mian Iftikharuddin, Fakhre Matri, Hamid Mahmood, Yusuf Haroon, Mahmood A. Haroon, A.G. Mirza, Kazi Mohammad Akber, Munawar Hidayet Ullah, K. M. Hamid Ullah, Anwarul Islam of Pakistan Observer, Dacca, Syed Hameed Hussain Naqvi and Tanvir Tahir.
The Pakistan Newspapers Society, a precursor to the APNS, was established in 1950, primarily due to the efforts of the Hameed Nizami, Altaf Husain, and Hamid Mahmood. It functioned for a number of years but could not receive much support or recognition either from the publishers and advertising agencies. Publishers' organizations also functioned in East Pakistan and Karachi.
In the year 1953, All Pakistan Newspapers Society was formed by merging the existing groups of publishers. The headquarters were established in Karachi, where it continues to function.
The APNS handled problems between its members and the provincial or central governments relating to advertisements, clearance of dues, taxes and duties and newsprint. It set rules of conduct for member publications and advertising agencies. These rules provided accreditation to advertising agencies and introduced security deposits and clearance schedules to member publications. This gave the Society a mechanism of streamlining advertisement and a clearance system protecting the collective interests of its member publications, advertising agencies, and advertisers.
The Society also works to develop the science and art of journalism and newspaper industry. In 1981, the APNS instituted advertising awards in various categories. Subsequently, the Journalist Awards were launched in 1982. The awards ceremonies have been held regularly since 1981.
The APNS grew to include publications from small towns and regional language press. Between 1971 and 2003, the number of publications in the Society rose from 41 to 262. Along with organizations of editors and journalists, the Society worked against the Press and Publications Ordinance passed by Ayub Khan in 1960 until its repeal in 1988. In 1999, the APNS prepared a set of press laws including the Draft for the formation of Press Council in Pakistan, Registration of Printing Presses, Newspapers Ordinance and a draft for a Freedom of Information Act. After thorough discussions among the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) people, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and the Ministry of Information, Government of Pakistan, the drafts on the Press Council and the Registration of Presses and Newspapers were finalized and enacted in 2002.
The member publications are adopting modern techniques, facilities, and trained manpower in all fields.
Awards of the APNS
The Advertising Awards were initiated in 1981, with Journalist Awards following in 1982. Advertising Awards are given on a 1st, 2nd, 3rd basis and include:
The Journalist Awards have only one winner in each category. The categories include: