Journalists boycott National Assembly press gallery over layoffs and unpaid salaries

ISLAMABAD: Journalists on Thursday boycotted coverage of the National Assembly proceedings and walked out of the press gallery in protest against layoffs at several media organisations and the non-payment of salaries at others.

Dozens of journalists left the gallery during the sitting and assembled in the media lobby. In response, the government sent a three-member team of lawmakers to meet the protesters. The delegation included MNAs Shazia Marri, Barrister Aqeel Malik and Monazza Hassan.

The three lawmakers held talks with the protesting journalists and assured them that their demands would be addressed soon.

Parliamentary Reporters Association President M. B. Soomro presented a charter of demands to the government team and urged the creation of a parliamentary implementation committee. He said owners of media houses should be called in and instructed to clear all pending payments owed to media workers and reverse what he described as forced dismissals of journalists.

Later in the session, PTI MNA retired Brig Aslam Ghumman drew attention to the lack of quorum. With attendance in the House falling below the required level, the sitting was adjourned until Friday at 11:30am.

Proceedings in the House

During question hour, Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaisar Ahmed Sheikh said Pakistan had become a strong and stable state and voiced optimism that the country would receive substantial foreign investment in the coming days.

MNA Naeema Kishwar Khan praised the government’s foreign policy and said it was receiving appreciation around the world. She said Pakistan should make the most of the present circumstances to bring in foreign investment.

Replying to another question, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said no new operation was under way in the country and added that security forces were conducting routine actions to maintain peace.

He also said that for poverty reduction, data collection and re-registration are carried out every three years, during which all data and statistics are reviewed.

Cultural heritage bill passed

The National Assembly also passed the National Fund for Cultural Heritage (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by a majority vote. The bill was moved by the federal minister for parliamentary affairs.

According to the statement of objects and reasons, the original law was enacted in 1994 to safeguard and preserve Pakistan’s national heritage. It was later amended through an ordinance in 2002.

The fund is meant to support the preservation of archaeological, historical, architectural and cultural heritage through financial and technical assistance, while also promoting public awareness of the country’s history.

The latest amendments were proposed after the Cabinet Division issued instructions on May 13, 2025, to replace the term Federal Government with the relevant authority in existing laws and rules. The draft changes were examined by the Ministry of Law and Justice, approved by the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases on October 8, 2025, and subsequently ratified by the federal cabinet on October 16, 2025.