The Government today said that no Department, Public Sector Undertaking or Autonomous Body should directly issue advertisements to the media, especially the electronic media.“It has been noticed that advertisements are being issued by various Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies to TV channels and FM Radio channels directly in the absence of any rate contract approved by the Finance Department,” a circular issued by the Director Information, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said.“In pursuance to the orders issued by the Finance Department from time to time, all the Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies are required to route official advertisements to the print and electronic media through the Department of Information,” the circular said and added that in yet another order issued by the Finance Department under endorsement No: DGAT/IT-Misc/Gene-58/22/PS-DR/625 dated: 11-08-2011, the instructions regarding routing of government advertisements through the Department of Information have been reiterated.
“It has been time and again further reiterated by the Finance Department that the Treasury Officers shall not entertain any bills in respect of advertisements issued directly to the print and electronic media by any department or public sector undertakings etc,” it said.The circular issued by the Director Information today states that it has been observed by the Department of Information that some Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies are violating the standing instructions of the Government and are issuing official advertisements to the media, especially the electronic media directly instead of routing these through the Department of Information.“It has been further noticed that official advertisements are being issued to various TV channels and FM Radio channels directly bypassing the Department of Information which has the Government approved rate contract for issuance of advertisements to the print and the electronic media. “Issuing advertisements to the TV and Radio in the absence of the rate contract, which is not available with such Departments, PSUs and autonomous bodies, is a serious violation of the codal procedure,” it said.“It is accordingly impressed upon all the Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies to strictly adhere to the Government instructions and route all the official advertisements, both to the print and electronic media though Department of Information. Any violation in this regard will be seriously viewed for further administrative action,” the circular said.