Aaj TV cuts jobs nationwide amid salary delays
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 31 March 2026 | JP Staff Report
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KUJ says Aaj TV carried out sudden nationwide layoffs across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta, dismissing anchors, camerapersons and newsroom staff without notice and leaving them unpaid for February and March; KUJ reported five of eight DSNG vans shut.Summary
KARACHI — The Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) has strongly condemned what it describes as illegal, nationwide layoffs by Aaj TV, alleging that employees across multiple cities have been dismissed without notice and left unpaid for months.
In a statement issued Tuesday, KUJ President Tahir Hassan Khan, General Secretary Sardar Liaquat Kashmiri, and members of the executive body said the dismissals affected staff in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta, raising serious concerns about labor practices in the media industry.
Nationwide layoffs trigger union backlash
The union said a large number of anchors, camerapersons, newsroom staff, and bureau employees were terminated without prior notice, calling the move unlawful and abrupt. It described the layoffs as part of a broader pattern of instability within the organization.
KUJ further alleged that those dismissed have not received their pending dues, compounding the financial hardship faced by affected media workers.
Salary delays deepen crisis for employees
According to the union, Aaj TV has failed to pay salaries for February, even as March came to an end, leaving employees without income for two consecutive months. The situation, KUJ said, reflects a deepening financial and operational crisis within the network.
The statement also noted that five out of eight DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering) vehicles across the country have been shut down, indicating a significant scale-down in newsgathering capacity.
Union warns of protests and legal action
KUJ demanded that Aaj TV immediately halt all layoffs and clear outstanding salaries for February and March. It warned that failure to comply would lead to protests outside the network’s offices and potential legal action on behalf of affected employees.
The union emphasized that it reserves the right to pursue all available avenues to protect the rights of journalists and media workers impacted by the dismissals.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The reported layoffs and salary delays highlight ongoing job insecurity and financial instability in Pakistan’s media sector. For journalists and newsroom staff, the case underscores the importance of labor protections, timely wage payments, and collective representation through unions. It also reflects broader structural challenges affecting broadcast media's sustainability.
ATTRIBUTION: Information cited from a publicly available statement issued by the Karachi Union of Journalists (March 31, 2026).
PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.
Key Points
- KUJ reports abrupt, nationwide dismissals of anchors, camerapersons, newsroom and bureau staff.
- Affected employees in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta say they have not been paid for February and March.
- The union alleges dismissals were without prior notice and unlawful.
- Five of eight DSNG/newsgathering vehicles have reportedly been shut down.
- KUJ has demanded reinstatement/payment and warned of protests and legal action.
Key Questions & Answers
What has KUJ alleged about Aaj TV?
KUJ alleges Aaj TV carried out abrupt, nationwide layoffs and left employees unpaid for at least February and March.
Which cities and staff are reported to be affected?
The union named Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta, citing anchors, camerapersons, newsroom and bureau staff among those dismissed.
Have any operational resources been impacted?
Yes, KUJ said five of eight DSNG vehicles across the country have been shut down, reducing newsgathering capacity.
What actions has KUJ indicated it may take?
KUJ has demanded immediate payment and a halt to layoffs; it has warned of protests and possible legal action if dues are not settled.
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