Magistrate summons Express Media Group owner over layoffs

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 1 February 2019

Sultan Ali Lakhani, owner of Express Media Group, has been summoned by an Islamabad magistrate following a complaint about layoffs at Daily Express. The complaint alleges violations of press regulations and demands an explanation from the management regarding staff dismissals and salary payments.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad district magistrate has summoned Sultan Ali Lakhani, the owner of Express Media Group following a complaint filed by the President of National Press Club Shakeel Qarar.

The complaint relates to the recent layoffs at Daily Express and calls for the cancellation of the newspaper’s declaration.

Qarar points out in the complaint that the newspaper management sacked staff on the false pretext of the financial crunch and did not pay staff their salaries and dues. He said the Islamabad office was being shut down.

He stated further that the management now planned to publish the paper from Lahore, although its declaration was obtained from Islamabad. He said this would be a violation of the press and publications ordinance.

Lakhani is required to submit a written reply within three days and appear in person on February 7 before the district magistrate.

Daily Express sacked nearly 30 staff members last month. The decision prompted the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), and the National Press Club to stage protests outside the newspaper’s offices in Islamabad.