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

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 5 March 2020

The closure of Daily Asian has rendered approximately 60 journalists jobless, urged by PFUJ for government action against the media industry's decline. The management promises one month's salary to the affected employees.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the closure of Daily Asian newspaper by its management for unknown reasons.

President PFUJ Shehzada Zulfiqar and Secretary Nasir Zaidi said that the seth mafia has rendered around 60 journalists and workers jobless and put their families in a financial crisis.

They urged the government not to issue declarations and TV licences to those who use them for their gains and blackmail the authorities.

The job opportunities for experienced journalist community is shrinking due to such opportunists which is alarming not only for the media industry but also for the current government, which promised 10 million jobs. All that seems to be in doldrums now, the PFUJ leaders said.

Meanwhile, newspaper management has promised to pay one month’s salary to the employees.

The office-bearers of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) and National Press Club staged a sit-in at the offices of the newspaper to record their protest.

KEY POINTS:

• Daily Asian newspaper closes, impacting 60 employees.
• PFUJ condemns management's decision for lack of transparency.
• PFUJ calls for government intervention to protect job security.
• Protests held by journalist unions outside the newspaper's office.
• Management commits to pay one month's salary to affected staff.