Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar stated on Saturday that the Dawn Media Group received approximately Rs 860 million in advertising revenue from federal and various provincial governments over the last 13 months.
This is a matter of record and I can share all those details with you,” the minister said while talking to the media.
Addressing the distribution of state advertisements, Tarar acknowledged that while some outlets receive more than others, media houses must prioritize corporate governance and financial independence. “You must have your own sustainable model. It is not feasible for a media group to rely entirely on government advertisements,” he stressed.
“They are a major group, yet despite receiving Rs 860 million in ads over 13 months, they are still laying off staff. That is their internal matter,” he noted.
Tarar further clarified that there is no “complete ban” on government ads for the group, noting that several campaigns are still currently running.