Welcome to 'Cruel Cuts' on JournalismPakistan.com, where we track and report the often painful and abrupt terminations and pay cuts of journalists and media personnel across Pakistan. This section delves into the reasons behind these layoffs and salary reductions, the impact on media diversity and independence, and the broader implications for the journalism landscape in the country.
October 27, 2018: DawnNews Television has terminated top anchors Baqir Sajjad Syed and Jawad Ahmed Siddiqi and imposed a 10 percent salary and fuel cut on regular staff. These changes follow similar actions at other TV channels and newspapers amid a broader media industry crisis.
October 23, 2018: Following the dismissal of top presenter Matiullah Jan, Waqt News Television has fired nearly 30 staffers in Islamabad, including reporters Rehan Shaikh, Aimen Syed, and Imtiaz Chughtai. The terminations come amid a broader media industry crisis, with unpaid salaries and grounded news vehicles.
October 22, 2018: Dunya News Television has terminated two senior cameramen, Nayar Abbas, and Kashif Bajwa, along with the head of their IT Section. This move is part of the broader financial crisis affecting the media industry in Pakistan.
October 19, 2018: BOL News has reportedly terminated over 250 employees without paying nearly six months of outstanding salaries. The abrupt sackings led to protests at the Karachi office, a day after the Supreme Court ordered BOL to pay staff within a month. The channel claims to be Pakistan’s biggest media house.
October 18, 2018: Waqt News has fired prominent journalist Matiullah Jan, host of "Apna Apna Gareban," after six years. Jan announced his sacking on Twitter, thanking his organization and colleagues. Speculations arise that the termination may be linked to his program's ratings.
October 12, 2018: The Express Tribune has sacked eight reporters from its Islamabad center, including its chief reporter. The decision has drawn condemnation from the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), which has vowed to protest the layoffs. This move is part of the Express Media Group's plan to merge its newspapers and television operations.
October 09, 2018: The Express Media Group is implementing a series of staff layoffs following the merger of The Express Tribune, Daily Express, and Express-News Television. Insiders report that Qadeer Tanoli and Shahzad Anwar are among those terminated as part of a broader austerity drive. The consolidation will involve reporters working across multiple platforms.
August 03, 2018: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the retrenchment of Geo TV employees, accusing the channel of contempt of court. Alongside Geo, Nai Baat and Neo TV have also sacked staff. PFUJ demands the reinstatement of employees and payment of salaries as ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
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.