JournalismPakistan.com | Published October 02, 2019
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ARY News and Aaj News Television have reportedly terminated the jobs of 150 employees, justifying the mass lay-offs as part of a downsizing strategy.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), have condemned the reprehensible treatment of the media workers and called for investigation into the unlawful terminations.
A similar downsizing was reported on August 29, with 70 journalists losing their jobs from Dunya News’ Lahore headquarters. According to the PFUJ, Dunya News has listed 200 journalists for job termination.
Economic security is increasingly concerning for journalists in Pakistan. Multiple large-scale terminations have plagued the industry already in 2019. The greater threat of unemployment remains an additional underlying pressure affecting journalist independence.
In July 2019, PFUJ noted journalists were facing a systematic crisis of unpaid wages and wage cuts. To date, the government of Pakistan has so far failed to act to address the issue of layoffs, unpaid wages and wage cuts in the country.
PFUJ President GM Jamali and Secretary-General Rana Muhammad Azeem emphasised the existing hardships facing thousands of journalists in Pakistan.
PFUJ said: “Certain media groups have already unlawfully terminated a number of journalists despite strong protests led by PFUJ. The government has given cold shoulder to this issue which only spurs other media houses to terminate their workers in the same way. This is a great failure of the Federal Information Ministry and the Federal Government."
The IFJ stands in solidarity with the PFUJ and Pakistani media colleagues who are protesting the shocking downsizing of media in Pakistan.
The IFJ said: “The unlawful termination of journalist must be resolved immediately and action taken to allow journalists adequate representation by their unions and the relevant government ministries. This is desperately needed and required to ensure that journalists’ work and employment rights are respected and that adequate compensation is awarded. A secure job and wage security is essential for journalists to carry out their work.” — An IFJ media release
June 19, 2020: Urdu newspaper Jehan Pakistan has laid off four reporters and seven newsroom staff in Islamabad, shifting to an online-only format. The management has promised to settle all dues, including three months' wages, for the terminated employees.
May 03, 2020: ARY Digital Network announces a three-month salary cut to cope with the financial crisis due to COVID-19, exempting staff earning up to Rs100,000. DawnNews Television also reduces salaries by 10 percent.
May 01, 2020: DawnNews Television cuts staff salaries by 10 percent and halves fuel allowances amid ongoing financial challenges. This marks the third pay cut in a year, highlighting the severe impact on Pakistani journalists facing layoffs and delayed salaries since 2018.
March 05, 2020: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemns the sudden closure of the Daily Asian newspaper, which left 60 journalists jobless. PFUJ urges the government to regulate media licenses to prevent misuse.
October 01, 2019: Dunya Media Group has terminated over 80 employees from its Multan station, following similar layoffs in Lahore. The company plans to centralize operations with fewer staff. The move, which includes paying three months' salaries to laid-off employees, has faced condemnation from journalist unions and the IFJ.
September 26, 2019: Aaj News Television has laid off about a dozen employees from its Lahore and Islamabad offices, including assignment editors, reporters, and camerapersons. The terminations were reportedly abrupt, with no prior notice and no payment for three months' salaries as required by contract.
September 25, 2019: 24 News has terminated Sajid Mughal, their Malikwal correspondent, reportedly due to pressure from a political figure. Mughal had recently reported on an audio involving Muhammad Khan Bhatti, which led to his house being occupied and false FIRs filed against him. He claims his dismissal was without a show-cause notice or reason.
August 29, 2019: The Dunya Media Group has laid off 70 employees from Dunya News Television, marking one of the largest job cuts in Pakistani media in the past year. Journalist bodies have condemned the move, demanding the reinstatement of the sacked staff and a government ban on advertisements for media houses that terminate employees.
April 11, 2025 Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025 The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025 Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025 The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025 Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.