Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)

Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) is Pakistan’s government-run news agency. The agency was established right after Pakistan’s independence in 1947. In spite of being known as Pakistan’s “premier” newswire, APP has struggled financially for several years, operating from old offices and using obsolete technical equipment.


Media assets

News agency: APP

State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)


Ownership and governance

APP is a state-run agency that belongs to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In 2002, the agency was transformed into a state-owned corporation known as Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation.

The Managing Director of APP is appointed by the government, the candidate being most often a government official. For example, in March 2023 the position was filled by Muhammad Asim who also holds the position of head of the Cyber Wing in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Source of funding and budget

Data about the budget of APP is not available. According to local experts and journalists, the budget of APP is extremely small compared to that of other state media in Pakistan. Some say it is more than ten times smaller than the budget of PBC, for example. Although APP sells its content to subscribers (mostly institutional clients), the government subsidy accounts for nearly 70% of the agency’s annual budget, according to local journalists and experts.

Editorial independence

APP operates as an official state agency, its editorial agenda being controlled by the government through the agency’s managing director who is always a government representative. The agency never criticizes the government. On the contrary, it disseminates on a regular basis information and news received from the government.

There is no domestic statute and no independent assessment or oversight mechanism that would validate the independence of APP.

September 2023