Apna prepares to launch Urdu channel

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 13 years ago

ISLAMABAD: The management of Punjabi-language Apna TV plans to launch a news channel in Urdu probably by December end or at the start of 2013. Those in the know tell JournalismPakistan.com preparations are seriously on for the launch.

Fahad Hussain Shah is the channel’s owner who already runs Apna News, Apna Entertainment and Kook TV. He also recently bought India’s 8XM.

Nasir Baig Chughtai, once a familiar face on Geo TV is the Director News and Current Affairs with Farrukh Tanveer, previously Geo’s Senior Assignment Editor, appointed as the Islamabad bureau chief.

The new channel’s name is being kept a secret.

Dive Deeper

Dawn struggle deepens as closures raise fears for its future

December 11, 2025: Dawn Media Group faces escalating closures, financial pressure, and political retaliation, raising urgent questions about the future of independent journalism in Pakistan.

Journalists urge courts to quash warrants against Imaan Mazari, husband

December 10, 2025: Veteran journalists and rights activists raise alarm over non-bailable warrants against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, calling the NCIA case agenda-driven and a threat to free speech.

Rs524m in ads, empty newsrooms: Balochistan’s media paradox

December 10, 2025: Balochistan Assembly documents show over Rs524 million spent on government advertisements for Quetta-based newspapers in one year, raising questions about reach, oversight, and media sustainability.

Pakistan Railways details journalist and senior citizen concessions

December 09, 2025: Pakistan Railways briefed lawmakers on fare concessions for journalists, their families, and senior citizens, outlining costs and usage across the past five years.

PEMRA refers Aaj News episode to Council of Complaints

December 09, 2025: PEMRA has referred an Aaj News program to the Council of Complaints over alleged violations of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct following unverified political claims aired on November 18.

DawnNews.tv closure raises concerns over media job security in Pakistan

December 09, 2025: DawnNews.tv’s shutdown and related layoffs have intensified concerns about media worker rights and job security in Pakistan as unions urge the government to uphold labor protections.

Why Pakistan lags as foreign broadcasters choose India

December 08, 2025: India’s fast-growing media market, regulatory flexibility, and global influence are drawing major international broadcasters, including RT India, while Pakistan struggles to attract similar investments.

Sindh lawmaker apologizes after raising false news of Moin Khan’s death

December 06, 2025: A Sindh lawmaker apologized after mistakenly announcing cricketer Moin Khan’s death in the Assembly, highlighting concerns over rising misinformation and social media rumors in Pakistan.

Newsroom

Independent Media challenges funding rules in South Africa

December 11, 2025 Independent Media in South Africa has appealed funding eligibility rules tied to press-council oversight, raising wider questions about platform grants and regulatory compliance in global media.

Israel media access ban in Gaza draws international press condemnation

December 11, 2025 International press freedom groups condemned Israel’s ongoing ban on independent foreign journalists entering Gaza, characterizing escorted access as restrictive and undermining transparency and independent reporting.

Civic freedoms report warns shrinking space for media

December 11, 2025 Civic freedoms are shrinking globally, with Asia-Pacific repressed or closed spaces impacting journalists and reporting, raising serious risks for media freedom and independent coverage.

AI use in newsrooms rises sharply amid growing ethical concerns

December 10, 2025 Recent surveys show a surge in AI adoption among journalists for research, drafting, fact-checking, and multimedia tasks, but many express deep worry over accuracy, originality, and trust issues in media.

Meta strikes new AI licensing deals with major news publishers

December 10, 2025 Meta signs new AI licensing deals with major publishers, embedding news in AI tools, and creating new revenue opportunities for digital journalism