JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 18, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
PESHAWAR – Continuing its downsizing, The Express Tribune on Saturday laid-off the last remaining members of its reporting team in Peshawar.
An insider tells JournalismPakistan.com that three senior reporters – Riaz Ahmed, Sohail Khattak, and Hidayatullah Khan - were told to resign.
Umer Farooq, a fourth reporter was transferred to Express-News Television a couple of weeks ago.
The management promised to pay the terminated journalists three-month salaries.
With this latest round of layoffs, only a translator is now left at the Express Tribune’s Peshawar office. He too is likely to leave soon.
Izharullah, who at one time worked at the Express Tribune tweeted: “Really sad to hear Express Tribune laid off all its Peshawar reporters and my former colleagues. We worked together and have contributed really good stuffs to the ET pages at the time @IftikharFirdous was looking into the city pages. Wishing good luck to all my friends.”
Really sad to hear Express Tribune laid off all its Peshawar reporters and my former colleagues. We worked together and have contributed really good stuffs to the ET pages at the time @IftikharFirdous was looking into the city pages. Wishing good luck to all my friends.
— Izharullah (@Izhar2u) November 17, 2018
Earlier this month, the paper fired six reporters from its Karachi center.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
September 25, 2019: 24 News has terminated Sajid Mughal, their Malikwal correspondent, reportedly due to pressure from a political figure. Mughal had recently reported on an audio involving Muhammad Khan Bhatti, which led to his house being occupied and false FIRs filed against him. He claims his dismissal was without a show-cause notice or reason.
May 15, 2025 Dawn faces backlash for publishing ex-CJ Qazi Faez Isa's op-ed, accused of undermining democracy and aiding election rigging. Politicians and journalists condemn the move.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 12, 2025 PFUJ pays tribute to journalists flogged under General Zia’s martial law in 1978, vowing to resist modern censorship and uphold press freedom in Pakistan.
May 09, 2025 In a bizarre media meltdown, Indian TV channels declared war on Pakistan, claimed imaginary victories and pushed fake narratives—leaving even Indian viewers stunned and apologetic.
May 05, 2025 India has banned prominent Pakistani journalist Rana Mubashir’s YouTube channel, expanding its crackdown on 16 other Pakistani media outlets. The move follows accusations of "false narratives" against India.