On April 2, journalists undertook a walkout from the National Assembly’s press gallery to protest recent layoffs at various media houses and the ongoing issue of unpaid salaries. The walkout halted coverage of parliamentary proceedings as media personnel congregated in the media lobby to voice their grievances.
During the protest, the government responded by sending a delegation consisting of Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Shazia Marri, Barrister Aqeel Malik, and Monazza Hassan to negotiate with the journalists. The MNAs assured the media representatives that their concerns would be addressed soon.
M.B. Soomro, President of the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA), presented a charter of demands to the government’s representatives, urging the establishment of a parliamentary implementation committee to ensure their requests are fulfilled. Soomro emphasized the necessity for media house owners to be held accountable for paying all outstanding dues and ceasing forced layoffs.
On March 10, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar had met with a delegation from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in Islamabad. During the meeting, Tarar confirmed that payments pending to journalists and media workers would be settled before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, a period significant for its festive spending needs. He conveyed that media owners had agreed to clear all dues ahead of the celebrations.
The minister highlighted prior consultations with the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), which resulted in the approval of outstanding dues for television channels. Tarar expressed optimism about a swift resolution to these financial issues, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of media personnel effectively.
The PFUJ delegation acknowledged the government’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of timely payments to ensure that media workers could partake in the Eid festivities with their families. Tarar reiterated the government’s dedication to fulfilling its commitments toward resolving the financial challenges faced by media workers.
