The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) is demanding that news organizations clear pending staff salaries. Protests will begin if salaries are not paid within a week.
Summary
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) is planning to write letters to all news organizations including Geo News and Capital TV urging them to clear pending salaries of their staff.
Talking to JournalismPakistan.com, PFUJ President Afzal Butt said that his union would start regular protest demonstrations against all news organizations that fail to pay outstanding dues/salaries to their employees within a week.
“In a day or two, we’ll give a one-week deadline to Geo News management through an official letter to clear all pending dues of its staff; otherwise protests will be organized against it on daily basis,” he said.
Earlier, the PFUJ gave a deadline to Geo News management to pay off salaries/dues by the end of April but the demand was not met.
“The backlog of salaries now stands at two months; lower staff is without salaries for three to four months ,” an insider tells JournalismPakistan.com.
Geo has been suffering an apparent financial crunch since April last year but it turned serious when upcoming media group BOL began hiring Geo employees offering lucrative salaries and packages.
“Geo tried to stop its staff joining BOL News by giving them 200 percent raise but this has not seemed to have worked,” the insider said.
Key Points
PFUJ plans to send letters to news organizations about unpaid salaries.
Protests against non-compliant organizations will start in a week.
Geo News staff have not received salaries for two to four months.
Geo is experiencing financial issues exacerbated by competition from BOL.
Previous deadlines for salary payment have not been met.
Dig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.
Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.
July 20, 2026: During July 7-20, 2026 Pakistan's media faced legal action against journalists, expanded broadcast regulations, newsroom layoffs and surveillance concerns, revealing growing regulatory, economic and technological pressures on journalism.
July 18, 2026: Journalists criticised a closed-door briefing where ministers said OGRA would set petroleum prices daily and energy reporters were not invited.
July 17, 2026: DRF USA warns that Pakistan's growing cyber surveillance, spyware, LIMS, and web monitoring pose serious privacy risks to press freedom and other digital rights.
July 15, 2026: Nine incidents of threats, arrests, legal action and assaults against journalists were recorded in Pakistan in June, highlighting threats to press freedom.
July 14, 2026: Punjab district journalists take second jobs, running shops, tuition centres or filtration plants, to top up newsroom pay and keep reporting amid rising costs.
July 06, 2026: Pakistan's media faced pressure as a major channel was suspended, journalists were arrested under cyberlaw, attacks occurred and AI-related debates intensified.
July 02, 2026: CPJ urged Pakistan to reverse PEMRA's 15-day suspension of Geo News' broadcast license, calling it a dangerous escalation of official interference with independent media.
July 01, 2026: KP unveils package for journalists: interest-free loans up to PKR10m, funding for press clubs and a media colony, plus a provincial journalists' welfare endowment.
July 21, 2026 A Lahore sessions court granted post-arrest bail to journalist Rehan Tariq on Rs100,000 surety bonds after hearing arguments from his defense and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
July 21, 2026 AFP journalists in Türkiye ended a 12-day strike after securing a labor agreement with a 27% wage increase, a month's bonus, €2,500 and enhanced allowances.
July 21, 2026 Media companies are laying off journalists as advertising income falls, audiences shift to digital platforms, costs rise, and AI plus new business models reshape newsroom economics.
July 20, 2026 Spain defeated Argentina in a dramatic World Cup final as Ferran Torres' extra-time volley sealed victory, capping Messi's farewell and Yamal's rise.
July 19, 2026 JournalismPakistan finds governments increasingly using courts, surveillance, visa limits and regulation instead of overt bans to pressure journalists.