Media Layoffs reports on the sudden terminations and pay cuts affecting journalists and media professionals across Pakistan. This section explores the causes, impact on media diversity and independence, and the wider implications for the country’s journalism landscape.
April 28, 2017: The Express Tribune has reportedly fired two senior journalists in Islamabad along with several district correspondents, with more layoffs anticipated. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) is demanding their reinstatement and vows to protect workers' rights.
November 11, 2016: PEMRA issues a show cause notice to Channel 92 for sacking senior journalist Sagheer Chaudhry without valid reason and violating his employment contract. The notice follows a complaint by the RIUJ, highlighting concerns over journalist rights and calling for action under PEMRA laws. Channel 92 must explain its position by November 18.
October 14, 2016: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have condemned the harassment of Capital TV news anchor Fiza Khan, demanding an immediate investigation. Fiza alleges intolerable working conditions and harassment by senior staff, leading to her resignation.
September 19, 2016: The Express Tribune has reportedly fired around 30 employees from city desks in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar following the appointment of new editor Fahd Hussain. The layoffs include city editors, sub-editors, and page makers as the group shifts focus to electronic and digital media.
August 31, 2016: Electronic media watchdog PEMRA has served notice on Jaag TV for allegedly forcing senior journalist Muhammad Naeem Khan to resign following the channel's takeover. Khan claims the new management is firing staff without legal formalities and seeks reinstatement.
September 02, 2015: Over five staffers at JAAG TV's Karachi Head Office, including senior editors and producers, were forced to resign. Learn about the events leading to these resignations and the impact on the news channel.
May 14, 2015: 92News Television terminated senior economic journalist Amer Sial's contract after he refused to apologize to the Privatization Commission over his probing questions. Sial, known for covering finance, energy, and trade issues, stood by his journalistic rights despite pressure from the channel's management.
April 03, 2015: Daily Times terminates its resident editor in Islamabad, Fasih ur Rehman, along with seven reporters. The termination follows a dispute with the Lahore editor, Rashid Rahman. While all reporters were initially asked to continue under renewed contracts, protests ensued leading to their dismissal.
May 03, 2014: On the eve of Press Freedom Day, Samaa Television terminated its chief reporter in Islamabad along with another reporter and a cameraman, sparking concerns over press freedom and job security in Pakistan's media industry. This comes after similar abrupt firings last October without reasons provided by the management.
May 01, 2014: Amjad Warraich, Lahore bureau chief of NewsOne Television, and co-host Sadaf Malik have been asked to leave amid ongoing channel upheaval. This follows the appointment of Hafiz Tariq as controller of news from Waqt TV, after the departure of Rana Mubashir, who faced accusations of a pro-army stance and government criticism.
February 28, 2014: Dunya Television sacks its Sports Editor Yasir Ghani shortly after abruptly firing more than a dozen staffers. Ghani receives his termination letter upon returning from leave for his mother's death. An expectant anchor was also sacked earlier, leaving her without medical cover.
February 26, 2014: Dunya TV fires 12 employees in the two days, with the total number expected to reach 30. Among those sacked are anchors Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, Samina Pasha, and Junaid Haleem, along with other senior journalists.
December 01, 2013: Such TV abruptly fires over 20 employees from its head office and Islamabad bureau, including reporters, a senior assignment editor, and news anchors. The management provides no reason for the dismissals, which insiders attribute to the arrival of new Executive Director News, Mohsin Raza Khan.
November 25, 2013: Pakistan Today, facing financial strain lays off approximately 50 employees, including journalists and photographers across Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. The reduction in paper size and ongoing layoffs reflect challenges for the publication.
October 29, 2013: Samaa Television has sacked three staff members in Islamabad, including assignment and copy editors, amid growing concerns about job security and management transparency. Insiders hint at more layoffs ahead.
October 08, 2013: Roznama Dunya sparks controversy by abruptly terminating 36 employees in Lahore, including reporters and desk staff. This move raises significant concerns within Pakistan's media industry about job security and the treatment of employees. The layoffs at Dunya Group's publication come shortly after similar actions at Dunya Television.
October 03, 2013: Dunya Television sparks controversy by dismissing 12 employees from their Lahore office, reportedly to accommodate new hires on more attractive packages. This move raises significant concerns within the industry about job security and employment practices. Speculation mounts about potential layoffs at the channel's affiliated newspaper, Roznama Dunya.
July 28, 2013: Around 100 employees of Khabrain and Channel 5 TV were sacked for demanding overdue salaries. The situation escalated when a staff member confronted the owner, Imtinan Shahid. PFUJ and the National Press Club Islamabad have issued an ultimatum, threatening to lock up the channel's offices if salaries are not paid within two days.
July 01, 2013: Rohi TV has fired 15 staff members in Multan, including producers, cameramen, and editors. This follows recent job cuts in Islamabad and the dismissal of key executives, indicating ongoing financial and managerial challenges within the channel.
June 19, 2013: Rana Tahir, a senior editor at Urdu-language daily Jehan Pakistan, is dismissed after refusing management's directive to terminate employees. The newspaper faces further layoffs amid preparations for launching a television channel.
June 14, 2013: Jehan Pakistan, an Urdu-language daily faces internal turmoil as several staff members, including magazine editors and the general manager of marketing, are compelled to resign amid restructuring plans. The newspaper, launched in 2012, is preparing to launch a television channel while navigating changes in leadership and staffing.
May 01, 2013: On Labor Day, four employees of Such TV were abruptly terminated without reason. Insiders suggest the firings may be due to new management wanting to replace staff with their own picks, despite claims of unsatisfactory performance.
May 01, 2013: Four reporters at Roznama Dunya's Islamabad edition are abruptly fired just four months after the paper's launch. Observers suggest these sackings indicate potential issues at the Urdu-language newspaper, which has struggled to make an impression since beginning publication.
April 10, 2013: Dunya News TV reportedly fires three camera operators, Raja Yasir, Muhammad Javed, and Tanveer Ahmed, over salary disputes. The trio was sacked after refusing to apologize for demanding a raise, highlighting ongoing issues of employee rights and newsroom management.
January 13, 2013: Express News Television downsizes staff at its Sargodha and Rahimyar Khan bureaus due to financial issues, leaving only a reporter and camera operator at each center. This follows the layoff of 20 employees from the Lahore office in July, highlighting ongoing financial challenges within the media group.
January 01, 2013: Daily Times sacks four reporters from its Islamabad office due to financial difficulties. Persistent salary delays plague the organization, with some staff owed up to nine months' pay. The Media Times Group faces ongoing challenges in managing employee compensation.
December 10, 2012: A reporter with Roznama Dunya is fired for filing a story critical of the Punjab government following a suicide bomber attack on a Moharram procession in Rawalpindi. Insiders say the story, which highlighted a security lapse, was commissioned by one of his editors.
October 18, 2012: Three reporters of Daily Mashriq are fired following a salary dispute with owner Syed Ayaz Badshah. The reporters, demanding raises, reportedly sent threatening messages to Badshah, leading to their termination.