DawnNews sacks presenters, program teams

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 27 October 2018

ISLAMABAD – DawnNews Television has terminated top anchors and those associated with their programs.

Insiders say the sacked presenters are Baqir Sajjad Syed who hosted the program 2 Raaye, and Jawad Ahmed Siddiqi, host of Dusra Rukh.

The management has also slapped a 10 percent cut on salaries of regular staff and as much on their fuel.

The events at DawnNews follow a string of such pay cuts and layoffs at several other television channels and newspapers.

The management, however, has not sacked Asad Rahim, who co-hosted 2 Rayee with Baqir.

Explore Further

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

December 09, 2025: DawnNews.tvâ€™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.

A digital dream falters: Nukta cuts 37 jobs in Pakistan after only one year

November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.

NewsOne TV hit by layoffs and unpaid wages, channel remains on air

October 30, 2025: NewsOne TV remains on air but faces mass layoffs and delayed salaries, exposing Pakistanâ€™s worsening media crisis and financial instability.

Jehan Pakistan sacks reporters, newsroom staff in Islamabad

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.

ARY to slash staff salaries for three months

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.

Pay cut at DawnNews

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.

Nearly 60 go jobless as Daily Asian newspaper shuts down, PFUJ condemns closure

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.

150 employees sacked at ARY and Aaj News

October 02, 2019: ARY News and Aaj News Television have terminated 150 employees as part of a downsizing strategy, drawing condemnation from the IFJ and PFUJ. This follows previous layoffs at Dunya News, highlighting growing concerns over job security and unpaid wages for journalists in Pakistan.

Newsroom

Islamabad court sentences journalists in digital terrorism case

January 02, 2026 An Islamabad anti-terrorism court sentenced journalists and YouTubers to life terms and fines in a digital terrorism case linked to May 9, 2023, unrest.

Global media unite as WAN-IFRA and FIPP complete merger

January 02, 2026 The World Association of News Publishers and FIPP complete their merger, forming a global alliance of more than 20,000 media brands to boost advocacy, collaboration, and shared industry growth.

Pakistan's most embarrassing media moments of 2025

January 02, 2026 A year-end review of four of the most shameful moments in Pakistani media in 2025, highlighting ethical lapses, political propaganda, on-air violence, and hate speech controversies.

Indian Punjab Journalists Union condemns cybercrime FIRs against media

January 01, 2026 Indian Punjab and Chandigarh Journalists Union denounces cybercrime FIRs against media and activists as a threat to press freedom and urges authorities to withdraw or quash cases.

The JournalismPakistan Global Media Brief | Edition 1 | January 2, 2026

January 01, 2026 A weekly global media briefing by JournalismPakistan.com covering press freedom, newsroom trends, platform policies, and major media developments across Asia, the Middle East, and the world.