On May 11, the Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the immediate suspension of government advertisements to a private TV channel over the termination of 170 employees. This followed a walkout by members of the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) from the press gallery during the May 11 sitting of the National Assembly, protesting layoffs and non-payment of dues by a couple of private TV channels.

Addressing the National Assembly later, Tarar said all government advertisements to the channel had been halted until its management explained the dismissals and proposed what could be done to arbitrate the issue.

During the discussion with journalists, the issue of the advertisement ban on Dawn was also raised. Responding to concerns, the minister announced that advertisements for Dawn were being resumed. He said advertisements had already been released to DawnNewsTV and added that a settlement with the newspaper would also be reached soon.

Tarar further said that the management of another TV channel, which had not paid salaries for the past three months, had been summoned to Islamabad for talks aimed at resolving the issue.

The minister urged media owners to sit down with their employees to reach a settlement, adding that overburdening junior employees was “not acceptable.” He said the federal government could arbitrate if both parties desired.

“Our biggest responsibility is dues,” Tarar said, adding that the government had paid all dues in a timely manner, with employees remaining its priority.

The PRA ended its walkout after the minister assured journalists that he would take up the matter with the relevant parties.

Earlier, speaking on the floor of the house, Tarar said the protection of media workers was a top priority and that matters related to journalists’ job security and benefits would be resolved in consultation with coalition partners and the opposition.