Sindh High Court orders payment of dues to newspapers

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 6 years ago

KARACHI – The Sindh High Court on Thursday ordered the provincial government to immediately pay all dues of newspapers whose representatives are members of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE).

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar passed the judgment after hearing a writ petition filed by CPNE Secretary-General Dr. Jabbar Khattak.

The court ruled that the inspection team of the Sindh chief minister conduct the required verifications of dues within 15 days and ensure payments.

The CPNE stated in the petition that the Sindh government had not paid newspapers for all their advertisements for several years. Due to this, the papers were facing severe financial difficulties.

Although the Supreme Court after taking a suo moto notice, had ordered payment of all dues to newspapers within four weeks, this never happened.

Dive Deeper

Journalists outraged over treatment of KP leaders in Punjab Assembly

December 27, 2025: Pakistani journalists condemn the treatment of a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delegation at the Punjab Assembly, raising concerns over media ethics, inter-provincial respect, and political conduct.

10 reasons why journalism matters more in Pakistan in 2026

December 26, 2025: Despite rising threats and misinformation, journalism in Pakistan remains vital in 2026. Here are 10 reasons why independent reporting is crucial for public trust and accountability.

Media control at play on ARY News or a broadcast mishap

December 26, 2025: A video showing Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal briefly interrupted during a live ARY News interview has gone viral, prompting debate over media control and official clarifications.

Pakistani media in 2025 tested by layoffs, laws, and trust

December 25, 2025: An in-depth year-ender examining how Pakistani media navigated layoffs, legal pressure, censorship, and innovation in 2025, highlighting key reporting, risks, and what lies ahead.

Journalism at a crossroads as press freedom erodes in Pakistan

December 21, 2025: Pakistan’s journalism faces growing repression through intimidation, PECA cases, economic pressure, and enforced silences, raising urgent questions about press freedom.

Matiullah Jan calls out journalist unions over cozy ties with authorities

December 20, 2025: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan criticizes journalist union leadership at an Islamabad conference, calling for reform, youth inclusion, and a stronger collective response to Pakistan’s media crisis.

Tarar says Rs86 crore worth of government ads given to Dawn Media Group

December 20, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says the government allocated 86 crore in ads to Dawn Media Group, stressing transparency and that media groups manage employee payments.

Islamabad court grants post-arrest bail to journalist Sohrab Barkat

December 19, 2025: Islamabad court approves post-arrest bail for journalist Sohrab Barkat in a case linked to controversial videos and tweets filed by the National Cyber Crime Agency.

Newsroom

Independent media outlets expand influence as trust in news erodes

December 27, 2025 Industry research highlights the growing influence of independent and niche publishers as mainstream journalism faces declining trust, revenue pressures, and fragmented audiences worldwide.

Judge blocks US detention of British anti-disinformation activist

December 26, 2025 A US federal judge blocks the detention of British anti-disinformation activist Imran Ahmed, a ruling with implications for journalists, digital rights advocates, and cross-border speech protections.

IMF and New Media Academy host media workshop in Dubai

December 26, 2025 The IMF and New Media Academy held a Dubai workshop for MENA journalists on economic reporting, social media content, and AI, highlighting regional investment in media capacity building.

Journalists face online threats after Bangladesh media attacks

December 26, 2025 Journalists in Bangladesh face rising online threats after mob attacks on media offices, amplifying fear for press freedom and safety in a tense political climate ahead of elections.

Europe criticizes US visa bans over digital speech dispute

December 25, 2025 European leaders push back against US visa bans on digital policy figures, warning the move could strain cooperation and deepen disputes over online speech and tech regulation.