Situation at BOL 'hopeless', staff leaving

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 10 years ago

ISLAMABAD: The situation at BOL News continues to deteriorate and frustrated employees, unpaid for months, have begun to leave.

Anchors Asma Iqbal and Mudasser Iqbal quit this week and have gone on air on Aaj and 92 News respectively. Anchor Farah Yousaf is on her way out. An insider, terming the situation 'hopeless' said producers and production staff are also quitting, having gone six months without being paid.

The BOL offices have been shut down for three days on account of Eid-ul-Azha while the network's licenses remain suspended.

"The staff is now absolutely disappointed and do not expect any good from the top management," the insider said.

ARY boss Salman Iqbal, who announced takeover of BOL on August 20, is said to be in Dubai while BOL CEO Shoaib Ahmed Shaikh is still under arrest and the staff has no one to look up to.

Don't Miss These

Journalism at a crossroads as press freedom erodes in Pakistan

December 21, 2025: Pakistan’s journalism faces growing repression through intimidation, PECA cases, economic pressure, and enforced silences, raising urgent questions about press freedom.

Matiullah Jan calls out journalist unions over cozy ties with authorities

December 20, 2025: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan criticizes journalist union leadership at an Islamabad conference, calling for reform, youth inclusion, and a stronger collective response to Pakistan’s media crisis.

Tarar says Rs86 crore worth of government ads given to Dawn Media Group

December 20, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says the government allocated 86 crore in ads to Dawn Media Group, stressing transparency and that media groups manage employee payments.

Islamabad court grants post-arrest bail to journalist Sohrab Barkat

December 19, 2025: Islamabad court approves post-arrest bail for journalist Sohrab Barkat in a case linked to controversial videos and tweets filed by the National Cyber Crime Agency.

JournalismPakistan cofounder Stephen Webb releases Dusk memoir

December 19, 2025: JournalismPakistan cofounder Stephen Webb releases Dusk, a poetic memoir blending memory and myth, reflecting on Punjab villages, faith, and belonging shaped by decades in journalism.

Pakistan minister flags AI impact on advertising jobs

December 18, 2025: Pakistan’s information minister warns AI is disrupting advertising jobs and invites proposals to protect creative professionals, signaling an early policy debate on AI and employment.

PTI announces boycott of select TV anchors and talk shows

December 18, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf announces a boycott of several prominent TV anchors and talk shows, directing party leaders and spokespersons to avoid appearing on the listed programs.

Pakistan to launch BEEP secure messaging app for officials

December 17, 2025: Pakistan plans to launch the BEEP secure messaging app for government officials by June 2026, modeled on WeChat, with end-to-end encryption and oversight by NITB.

Newsroom

Dhaka journalists protest attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star

December 22, 2025 Journalists in Dhaka protested after arson and vandalism at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices, warning that impunity for attacks on the media threatens press freedom.

RSF flags OpIndia-linked online harassment of journalists

December 22, 2025 Reporters Without Borders warns of online harassment campaigns targeting journalists, accusing OpIndia of fueling coordinated attacks that threaten press freedom and reporter safety.

Unrest exposes growing risks for Bangladesh’s independent press

December 22, 2025 Leading Bangladeshi newspapers face backlash during unrest, highlighting risks to press freedom, journalist safety, and independent reporting amid rising political polarization.

Hong Kong court hears wrongful dismissal case by ex WSJ reporter

December 22, 2025 A Hong Kong court is hearing a wrongful dismissal case by former Wall Street Journal reporter Selina Cheng, raising concerns over labor rights, union activity, and press freedom.

India rejects Bangladeshi media reports amid tensions

December 22, 2025 India has rejected Bangladeshi media reports on a protest outside its High Commission, calling them misleading and underscoring how diplomatic tensions are increasingly playing out through media narratives.