Hundreds of journalists across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been facing difficulties obtaining their accreditation cards as the PVC card printing machine at the provincial Information and Public Relations Department has remained non-functional for several months due to the unavailability of a colour toner.

The prolonged shortage has brought the printing of PVC accreditation cards to a halt, forcing journalists to repeatedly visit the department’s registrar office, only to return without their cards.

Officials responsible for the matter said the higher authorities had been informed about the issue several times, both verbally and in writing. However, funds have yet to be released for purchasing the required toner, which reportedly costs around Rs100,000.

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Journalists have expressed concern over the prolonged delay, questioning how a basic administrative issue involving a relatively small amount could remain unresolved for months.

They said an accreditation card was not merely an identity document but an essential requirement for journalists to perform their professional duties and access official activities and institutions.

The journalist community has urged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan and Information Secretary Matiullah to take immediate notice of the matter, ensure the release of funds and arrange the purchase of the toner so that the printing of accreditation cards can resume without further delay.