IHT, CPPL to distribute Pakistan-focused newspaper

Published through Century Publications Pvt Limited (CPPL), the newspaper is slated to launch March 2010 with initial plans to print in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

According to the IHT, held by the New York Times Company, the market-focused publication is the ninth of its kind worldwide for the IHT, and the third in Asia-Pacific. The IHT currently has market-dedicated titles in Korea and Japan.

Of the IHT’s decision to partner with CPPL, IHT publisher Stephen Dunbar-Johnson said in a statement that, “It is especially important, at this time, to deliver independent journalism to Pakistan, a country that is at the center of world attention.”

CPPL currently publishes Pakistan’s leading Urdu-language newspaper, the Daily Express, which is distributed across 11 cities in Pakistan, and airs a 24-hour English-language news channel "Express 24/7" and a 24-hour Urdu-language news channel.

"Pakistan is undeniably facing much social and political turmoil at present but we believe that this only increases the need for a credible and authoritative news source,” said Bilal Lakhani, the publisher of the forthcoming English newspaper from CPPL, in a statement. “This alliance … reflects our strong belief that the broader trends in Pakistan such as rising literacy, a growing middle-class and growth of English-language usage are positive."

The Paris-based IHT is currently printed at 35 sites throughout worldwide and is for sale in more than 180 countries.