RIUJ protests push media houses to clear delayed salaries
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 19 March 2026 | JP Staff Report
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Following RIUJ protests ahead of Eid, several Pakistani media houses, including Suno News, Public News and 365 News, have cleared delayed salaries, but others like Neo, AIK, Aaj, Lahore Rang and BOL still have outstanding pay, leaving journalists unpaid.Summary
ISLAMABAD — Several media organizations in Pakistan have begun clearing delayed salaries following protests by the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) ahead of Eid, marking a partial relief for newsroom employees facing months of financial uncertainty.
RIUJ President Asif Bashir Chaudhry said salary payments have been “cleared” at Suno News, Public News, and 365 News after sustained pressure from the union. The payments come after journalists staged demonstrations earlier this week, demanding immediate disbursement of overdue salaries.
Salary gaps persist across outlets
However, the situation remains uneven across the industry. At Neo News, salaries for December have been paid, but dues for January and February are still pending. Similarly, most employees at AIK News have received payments, though some outstanding dues remain unresolved.
At Aaj News, two months of salary backlog have been cleared, but one month’s pay is still pending. Lahore Rang has paid January salaries, while February dues remain unpaid. Meanwhile, BOL News has yet to disburse salaries for February, according to RIUJ.
صحافیوں اور میڈیا ورکرز کی تنخواہوں کے معاملے پر RIUJ کے احتجاج کے بعد متعدد میڈیا ہاوسز نے تنخواہوں کی ادائیگی کر دی ہے تاہم چند ایک نے ابھی تک تمام تنخواہیں ادا نہیں کی_
— Asif Bashir Chaudhry (@asifbashirch) March 19, 2026
امید ہے وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات عطا اللہ تارڑ پہلے کی طرح ذاتی دلچسپی سے معاملہ حل کروائیں گے_@TararAttaullahpic.twitter.com/UvxhdL3RQU
Union pressure drives partial compliance
The RIUJ had staged protests outside multiple media houses earlier this week after management failed to honor commitments to clear dues before Eid. The union warned of escalated action if payments were not made, prompting several organizations to begin disbursing salaries.
While the latest payments indicate that collective action can yield results, the continued delays at several outlets highlight ongoing financial instability within Pakistan’s media sector, where salary backlogs have become increasingly common.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Delayed salaries remain a persistent issue in Pakistan’s media industry, directly affecting journalists’ financial security and morale. The RIUJ’s actions demonstrate the role of collective bargaining in holding media owners accountable. It also underscores the need for stronger enforcement of labor protections within media organizations.
PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only
Key Points
- RIUJ protests ahead of Eid prompted several media houses to begin disbursing overdue salaries.
- Suno News, Public News and 365 News have reportedly cleared delayed payments.
- Neo News has paid December salaries, while January and February remain outstanding.
- Most AIK News staff received payments though some dues persist; Aaj News cleared two months but one month remains unpaid.
- Lahore Rang paid January salaries while February remains due; BOL News has not disbursed February pay.
- The union warned of escalated action if managements did not honor commitments to clear dues.
Key Questions & Answers
Did the RIUJ protests lead to salary payments?
Yes; several outlets began clearing delayed salaries after the union staged protests, though not all dues have been settled.
Which news organizations have cleared salaries?
Suno News, Public News and 365 News have cleared payments; other organizations have made only partial disbursements.
Which outlets still owe salaries?
Neo, AIK, Aaj, Lahore Rang and BOL still have outstanding dues in varying months, according to RIUJ.
Has the union indicated further action?
RIUJ warned of escalated action if managements did not clear dues; the union has kept options open for further protests.
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