TV salary delays spark protests ahead of Eid in Pakistan

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 17 March 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Journalists protested in Islamabad ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr over unpaid or partially paid salaries at several television channels. Union sources say staff at outlets including Neo News, Lahore Rang, Abb Takk, Suno, BOL, Aaj, and Aik remain affected by delayed payments.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Journalists staged protests in Islamabad on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr against multiple television channels accused of failing to clear pending salaries, underscoring a deepening financial crisis within Pakistan’s broadcast media sector.

Members of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (Afzal Butt Group) gathered outside the offices of several networks, including Aaj News, Abb Takk, and Suno News, demanding immediate payment of dues. Protesters warned of escalating action if salaries were not cleared before the holiday, a period when financial pressures on workers typically intensify.

Salary crisis spreads across multiple outlets

Protest leaders said delays were no longer isolated incidents but reflected a broader, systemic issue affecting numerous television organizations. Updated information shared with journalists’ unions and newsroom sources indicates that employees at several networks remain unpaid or only partially compensated as of mid-March.

At Neo News, staff are reportedly awaiting three months of unpaid salaries, while Lahore Rang employees face similar arrears, with some owed up to four months. Several other outlets, including 365 News, Abb Takk News, Suno News, and BOL News, have yet to release February salaries.

At Aik News, employees are still awaiting February pay and have received only partial payment for December, reports say. At Aaj News, staff continue to face delays, with some reporting two months of unpaid salaries. One employee said only half of their December salary was paid on March 12, with the remainder expected later, leaving January, February, and March dues outstanding.

Calls for boycott and wider action

Protesters warned that continued non-payment would lead to a boycott of defaulting channels, including refusing to engage with their reporters or recognize their presence at official venues. One demonstrator said the boycott would extend across key institutions, from Parliament and the Press Information Department to the Foreign Office and superior courts, where the channel logos wouldn't be allowed.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that DawnNews employees were paid only half their monthly salary, marking an unprecedented development for the organization. At ARY News, staff have reportedly not received their February salaries.

Union representatives say journalists had expected payments before Eid, following informal assurances from management at several outlets. With the holiday approaching and payments still pending, frustration has intensified among media workers already grappling with rising living costs.

WHY THIS MATTERS: The widening salary crisis highlights structural vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s television news industry, including inconsistent revenue streams and weak labor protections. For journalists, delayed salaries directly affect financial stability and professional morale, particularly during major holidays. The situation also raises broader concerns about newsroom independence and sustainability when staff are financially insecure.

PHOTO: The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (Afzal Butt Group) protests outside Aaj News offices in Islamabad.