NA panel seeks payment of media workers’ outstanding dues

NA panel seeks payment of media workers' outstanding dues.

Key points

• Bakhtawar Mian Published September 4, 2026 Updated September 4, 2026 08: 00am.
• The lawmakers directed the Pak­istan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to formulate a comprehensive and clearly defined code of conduct for morning demonstrates.
• Bakhtawar Mian is a Dawn reporter based in Islamabad with over 27 years of experience in journalism.
• The committee additionally expressed con­­­cern over the prolonged delay in completing a PBC shortwave transmitter project in Karachi's Landhi area.
• The committee further directed Pemra to furnish comprehensive details of pending liabilities of television channels.

Bakhtawar Mian Published September 4, 2026 Updated September 4, 2026 08: 00am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers on Th­­­­ursday expressed serious conc­ern over the persistent non-payment and delays in disbursement of salaries and other dues to media workers, directing that all outst­a­nding payments throughout the industry be cleared without further delay.

They emphasised that employees associated with the media ind­ustry should not be created to suffer on account of outstanding liabilities owed by administration institutions.

In practice, the matter was raised at a gathering of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Bro­adcasting, chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch at the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) headquarters.

According to The committee, timely payment of salaries was a fundamental responsibility of media organisations and stressed the need for all concerned authorities to take effective measures to protect the financial rights of media workers.

Notably, the panel sought comprehensive details of salaries and other financial dues pending against media organisations.

It additionally directed the Press Infor­mation Department (PID) to provide details of payments produced to print and electronic media outlets, including the amounts paid, outstanding payments and the status of pending claims.

In practice, the committee additionally expressed con­­­cern over the prolonged delay in completing a PBC shortwave transmitter project in Karachi's Landhi area. It was approved under the Public Sector Development Prog­ramme (PSDP) during the 2006-07 financial year.

It sought a detailed report on the project's current status, expenditure incurred so far, remaining financial requirements, reasons for the delay and a timeline for its completion.

Notably, the panel additionally decided to summon office-holders from the finance and planning divisions to explain the non-release of funds for the project.

In practice, the lawmakers directed the Pak­istan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to formulate a comprehensive and clearly defined code of conduct for morning demonstrates.

While ensuring that television programming remained consistent with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, the proposed code should provide guidelines on the nature of content, language, treatment of sensitive is­­s­ues, participation of guests and overall editorial standards.

Notably, the committee further directed Pemra to furnish comprehensive details of pending liabilities of television channels.

It additionally directed the PBC to introduce programmes and news bulletins in all regional languages on Radio Pakistan. Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2026.

Bakhtawar Mian is a Dawn reporter based in Islamabad with over 27 years of experience in journalism. He covers social problems and handles special assignments for the publication.

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