Express Tribune fires six reporters in Karachi

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 7 years ago

KARACHI – In a latest round of layoffs, The Express Tribune has fired six reporters from its Karachi center.

Those sacked were covering sports, city and business beats, says an insider.

Last month, the paper’s management terminated eight reporters from its Islamabad center including the chief reporter.

There have been a string of layoffs since Fahd Hussain was appointed the newspaper’s editor in September 2016.

The sackings, insiders say are part of the Express Media Group’s plan to merge its newspapers The Express Tribune, Daily Express and Express-News Television.

The media group is known for abruptly terminating staff without assigning any reason.

Dive Deeper

NewsOne TV hit by layoffs and unpaid wages, channel remains on air

October 30, 2025: NewsOne TV remains on air but faces mass layoffs and delayed salaries, exposing Pakistan’s worsening media crisis and financial instability.

Jehan Pakistan sacks reporters, newsroom staff in Islamabad

June 19, 2020: Urdu newspaper Jehan Pakistan has laid off four reporters and seven newsroom staff in Islamabad, shifting to an online-only format. The management has promised to settle all dues, including three months' wages, for the terminated employees.

ARY to slash staff salaries for three months

May 03, 2020: ARY Digital Network announces a three-month salary cut to cope with the financial crisis due to COVID-19, exempting staff earning up to Rs100,000. DawnNews Television also reduces salaries by 10 percent.

Pay cut at DawnNews

May 01, 2020: DawnNews Television cuts staff salaries by 10 percent and halves fuel allowances amid ongoing financial challenges. This marks the third pay cut in a year, highlighting the severe impact on Pakistani journalists facing layoffs and delayed salaries since 2018.

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

March 05, 2020: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemns the sudden closure of the Daily Asian newspaper, which left 60 journalists jobless. PFUJ urges the government to regulate media licenses to prevent misuse.

150 employees sacked at ARY and Aaj News

October 02, 2019: ARY News and Aaj News Television have terminated 150 employees as part of a downsizing strategy, drawing condemnation from the IFJ and PFUJ. This follows previous layoffs at Dunya News, highlighting growing concerns over job security and unpaid wages for journalists in Pakistan.

Dunya Media Group cuts more jobs

October 01, 2019: Dunya Media Group has terminated over 80 employees from its Multan station, following similar layoffs in Lahore. The company plans to centralize operations with fewer staff. The move, which includes paying three months' salaries to laid-off employees, has faced condemnation from journalist unions and the IFJ.

Job cuts at Aaj News

September 26, 2019: Aaj News Television has laid off about a dozen employees from its Lahore and Islamabad offices, including assignment editors, reporters, and camerapersons. The terminations were reportedly abrupt, with no prior notice and no payment for three months' salaries as required by contract.

Newsroom

Bangladesh unrest escalates as Dhaka newsrooms remain shut

December 19, 2025 Bangladesh protests continued Friday after attacks on major Dhaka newsrooms, forcing media shutdowns and evacuations, raising press freedom concerns ahead of the 2026 elections.

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.

Israeli journalists rally against proposed media restrictions

December 19, 2025 Israeli journalists convene in Tel Aviv to oppose proposed government measures they warn could undermine press freedom, media independence, and the operating environment for newsrooms.

UAE creates National Media Authority under new law

December 19, 2025 The UAE issued a federal decree law establishing the National Media Authority, merging existing media bodies to unify policy, oversee content standards, and regulate media under Cabinet authority.

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.