Salary delays deepen crisis at Pakistan's private TV channels

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 February 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Staff at several private Pakistani TV channels, including Aaj News, 365 News and NewsOne, report months of unpaid salaries, growing anxiety and no clear timeline for payments. Management at Aaj has signalled layoffs in Karachi and Quetta as revenues fall.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Staff members at several private television news channels, including Aaj News, 365 News, and NewsOne, are facing prolonged salary delays, with one outlet reportedly considering layoffs amid mounting financial strain, according to information obtained by JournalismPakistan.com from multiple newsroom sources.

Employees at Aaj News say they have not received salaries for the past three months, creating uncertainty and frustration across departments. Sources also confirmed that morning show host Sidra Iqbal is no longer with the channel. The channel has not issued a public statement detailing the reasons for the delays.

Insiders say Aaj News management plans to lay off staff in Karachi and Quetta, further deepening uncertainty among employees.

Financial strain spreads across channels

A similar pattern of delayed payments has been reported at 365 News and NewsOne, where staff members say there is no clear timeline for when outstanding salaries will be cleared. Employees at these channels described growing anxiety over job security as operating costs rise and advertising revenues remain under pressure.

In October 2025, reports circulated about the possible closure of NewsOne, though the channel continued operations. At the time, staff reductions were carried out at its Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad centers, according to employees familiar with the matter. No formal shutdown announcement was made.

A decade of contraction in broadcast news

The current situation reflects a longer trend in Pakistan’s broadcast sector. Over the past decade, several television channels have either shut down or significantly downsized operations. Among them were Waqt News, Business Plus, Indus News (English), Express 24/7 (English), and AAP News, each of which ceased operations or scaled back after financial challenges. Publicly documented reporting at the time cited declining advertising revenues, rising operational costs, and regulatory pressures as contributing factors.

Industry analysts say the advertising market remains heavily concentrated, with government advertising allocations and corporate spending patterns playing a significant role in channel sustainability. Media owners have repeatedly pointed to shrinking revenue streams, while journalist unions have called for greater financial transparency and labor protections.

Newsrooms navigate uncertainty

Media workers across the country continue to report delayed salaries, abrupt dismissals, and limited contractual safeguards. Journalist representative bodies have, in past cases, organized protests and appeals to authorities to enforce existing labor laws applicable to media organizations.

While no official reasons have been cited for the current salary delays at the channels mentioned, newsroom employees say the uncertainty is affecting morale and editorial planning.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Salary delays and potential layoffs highlight structural vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s privately owned broadcast sector. For journalists and newsroom managers, prolonged financial instability can directly affect editorial independence, staff retention, and long-term professional standards. The pattern underscores the need for sustainable business models and enforceable labor protections in the media industry.

ATTRIBUTION: Information in this report is based on interviews with newsroom employees at Aaj News, 365 News, and NewsOne conducted by JournalismPakistan.com, as well as previously published reports on channel closures and downsizing in Pakistan’s broadcast sector.

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes.