JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 15, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD – Jang Group, Pakistan’s largest media house, has reportedly laid off hundreds of employees with reports of at least two of its publications being closed down.
The group’s evening newspapers – Awam and Daily News were among the papers said to have been shut down with the closure of a few other publications also on the cards, among them weekly Mag.
A source in Lahore said that as many as 128 staffers were dismissed from Jang, while the strength at the paper’s Karachi center was cut down by almost 50 percent. In Peshawar too, the group sacked many workers.
Shamim Shahid, the Peshawar-based Senior Vice President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the retrenchments by Jang in the provincial capital.
He called for urgent intervention by the federal and provincial governments, demanding immediate reinstatement of all employees.
Salaries at the group’s popular television channel Geo have been delayed for several months that has led to protests by journalists unions.
Many other news organizations in Pakistan have cut jobs and continue to delay paying staff wages.
The layoffs by media houses picked up pace since the PTI government came to power more than three months ago.
The news organizations claim the government owes them billions in advertising bills that has left them in deep financial crisis.
Although the government says it is releasing a part of the outstanding money, the media houses say they see no sign of that happening.
Mistrust is evident between the government, news organizations, and the employees.
The journalist union leaders suspect foul play and wonder how could the media houses that made tons of money through advertising in the run-up to the general elections become cash-strapped so soon after the polls.
Photo courtesy: www.workitdaily.com
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.