Srinagar, May 20: The Kashmir Printers Association on Tuesday said that newspaper printing charges may have to be increased as the local printing industry continues to face mounting financial pressure due to rising costs of raw materials and disruptions in supply chains triggered by global geopolitical tensions.

The announcement came during an important meeting of the Association chaired by its president, Bilal Qureshi, which was attended by printing press owners and members from across the Valley. The meeting focused on the growing challenges confronting the newspaper printing and publishing sector.

Participants expressed serious concern over the sharp increase in the prices of paper, printing plates, ink and other essential materials required for newspaper production. They said that supply chains have been severely affected in recent months, leading to shortages and escalating operational costs for printing presses.

The Association said that increasing expenses related to electricity, transportation and raw materials have made newspaper printing significantly more expensive, placing the industry under severe financial strain.

Addressing the meeting, Bilal Qureshi said the impact of ongoing global tensions is being directly felt by the local printing sector. He stated that the unprecedented rise in the cost of printing materials has left printing presses with no alternative but to revise newspaper printing charges.

The Association warned that if the present situation continues, many small and medium-sized printing establishments may struggle to continue operations.

During the meeting, members unanimously appealed to newspaper owners across the Valley to cooperate with printing presses during the difficult period to protect the interests of both the newspaper industry and the printing sector.

The participants also expressed hope that the current crisis could be managed through collective efforts and coordinated planning. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue working jointly to address the challenges facing the printing industry in Kashmir.