Sindh government spends Rs20m on journalists' foreign junkets: paper

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 10 years ago

ISLAMABAD: The government of Sindh has spent around Rs20 million of taxpayers’ money on foreign junkets of 41 journalists. A story in Daily JehanPakistan says the Sindh Information Ministry sponsored trip of 35 Sindhi journalists to Dubai while another six will fly to Turkey on December 14.

Over Rs12.2 million are being squandered on the Dubai trip while the Turkey excursion will cost around Rs5.8 million, the paper said. “The journalists are staying in luxury hotels in Dubai,” it said.

The paper also regreted the Sindh government is spending millions on leisure trips of some favourite journalists but has initiated no measures to help journalists’ families who were killed in targeted killings and bomb blasts.

Don't Miss These

New study shows alarming decline in press freedom in Pakistan

November 20, 2025: New data from the Worlds of Journalism Report shows rising threats, political pressures, and shrinking media freedom for Pakistani journalists working in an increasingly hostile environment.

Shahzeb Khanzada faces lawsuit threat in Canada over video

November 19, 2025: Shahid Bhatti threatens legal action against Shahzeb Khanzada and his wife in Canada, claiming their actions endangered his life and violated Canadian law.

Journalists condemn police handling of Imran Khan’s sisters

November 19, 2025: Journalists across Pakistan condemn police for allegedly roughing up Imran Khan’s sisters outside Adiala Jail, sparking outrage and raising questions about rights and accountability.

Minister says man who harassed Shahzeb Khanzada identified

November 19, 2025: Pakistan’s information minister says the man who harassed journalist Shahzeb Khanzada in Canada has been identified as a PTI worker, though BBC Urdu says it cannot verify the claim.

Top ARY News official criticizes double-faced journalism

November 18, 2025: ARY News President Ammad Yousaf criticizes double-faced journalism in Pakistan, highlighting opportunism and ethical concerns without naming any journalist directly.

Benazir Shah targeted by AI video as Shahzeb Khanzada faces backlash

November 17, 2025: Benazir Shah condemns AI harassment while Shahzeb Khanzada faces sharp criticism for agenda-driven coverage, raising questions about ethics and accountability in Pakistani journalism.

Shahzeb Khanzada, Shahbaz Gill clash intensifies on X

November 17, 2025: A heated exchange between Shahzeb Khanzada and Shahbaz Gill on X escalates after a viral mall confrontation involving a member of the public, underscoring rising hostility and polarization in Pakistan’s media sphere.

Viral video shows Shahzeb Khanzada harassed in public

November 16, 2025: Geo News anchor Shahzeb Khanzada was verbally harassed in a viral video while shopping. A fellow journalist condemns the attack and calls for respect and media safety.

Newsroom

Collector preserves Pakistan cricket history in rare memorabilia book

November 23, 2025 Retired banker Afzal Ahmad chronicles 77 years of Pakistan cricket through rare memorabilia in a new book that preserves the nation's sporting heritage from 1948 to 2025.

Houthi spying verdict heightens risks for media workers

November 23, 2025 A Houthi-controlled court in Sanaa has sentenced 17 people to death for allegedly spying for foreign states, raising urgent media safety concerns in Yemen.

GIJC25 opens in Kuala Lumpur with a call for radical collaboration

November 22, 2025 GIJC25 opened in Kuala Lumpur with Maria Ressa urging journalists to confront authoritarian threats and shrinking resources through radical collaboration to protect global press freedom.

RFE/RL to close Hungary operations amid funding cuts

November 22, 2025 U.S.-funded broadcaster RFE/RL is ending operations in Hungary after funding cuts, raising concerns over press freedom and independent media in the country.

WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards unify process for 2026

November 22, 2025 WAN-IFRA’s 2026 Digital Media Awards introduce a unified global process, streamlining entries and timelines to honor outstanding digital journalism across all regions fairly.