Sindh High Court orders payment of dues to newspapers

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 6 years ago

KARACHI – The Sindh High Court on Thursday ordered the provincial government to immediately pay all dues of newspapers whose representatives are members of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE).

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar passed the judgment after hearing a writ petition filed by CPNE Secretary-General Dr. Jabbar Khattak.

The court ruled that the inspection team of the Sindh chief minister conduct the required verifications of dues within 15 days and ensure payments.

The CPNE stated in the petition that the Sindh government had not paid newspapers for all their advertisements for several years. Due to this, the papers were facing severe financial difficulties.

Although the Supreme Court after taking a suo moto notice, had ordered payment of all dues to newspapers within four weeks, this never happened.

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

Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj marks 1,000 days jailed

December 24, 2025 Kashmiri journalist Irfan Meraj has spent over 1,000 days in detention by Indian authorities in Kashmir, renewing concerns over press freedom and legal pressure on independent media.

South Korea passes tougher penalties for false media reports

December 24, 2025 South Korea’s parliament passed a law imposing tougher penalties on the media for false information, raising concerns from journalists over press freedom and investigative reporting.

Israel extends foreign media restriction law to 2027

December 24, 2025 Israel’s Knesset has extended emergency legislation allowing limits on foreign media outlets until 2027, prompting renewed concern from press freedom groups over long-term impacts on reporting.

CPJ urges probe into attacks on Bangladesh media

December 24, 2025 Press freedom groups led by CPJ call for swift, transparent investigations into attacks on Bangladesh media, warning that violence against news outlets threatens free expression ahead of elections.

China bans obscene content sharing on private messaging

December 24, 2025 China has introduced new rules banning the sharing of obscene content on private messaging platforms, raising concerns among media analysts over censorship, privacy, and digital news circulation.