Minister announces ad ban on channel after layoffs of 170 employees

ISLAMABAD: Members of the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) walked out of the National Assembly press gallery on Monday in protest against layoffs and unpaid dues at two private television channels, prompting intervention from Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Following the walkout, a delegation of lawmakers from both houses, including Tarar, went to the media room to discuss the matter with journalists. During the National Assembly session, MQM-P senior leader Syed Aminul Haq and other legislators also raised the difficulties being faced by media workers.

Minister announces action on advertisements

Later, while speaking on the floor of the house, Tarar said the government had stopped all advertisements to a private television channel that had recently dismissed 170 employees. He said the suspension would remain in place until the channel explained the decision and clarified what could be done to resolve the matter through arbitration.

During the discussion with journalists, the issue of the ad ban on Dawn was also raised. In response, Tarar said advertisements for Dawn were being restored. He said ads had already been released to DawnNewsTV.

“The advertisements for Dawn have been released and a settlement will soon be reached with the newspaper as well,” the minister said after the PRA meeting.

Talks sought over unpaid salaries

Tarar also said the management of another television channel, which had not paid its employees for three months, had been called to Islamabad for talks. He urged media owners to engage with their workers and reach a settlement, saying the burden being placed on junior employees was unacceptable.

The minister said the federal government could play an arbitrating role if both sides wanted that. Referring to the presence of lawmakers, he said, “Representatives of both houses are here and in good numbers.”

He also said the government’s foremost responsibility was the payment of dues. “Our biggest responsibility is dues,” Tarar said, adding that he was satisfied that the government had paid all dues in a timely manner, with employees as their priority.

The protest ended after the meeting and the minister’s assurances that he would take up the matter with the relevant parties.

The developments came after journalists used the walkout to press for action over job losses and delayed payments in parts of the private media sector. The issue was then taken up both inside the National Assembly and in the subsequent meeting between the PRA and lawmakers.

Tarar’s remarks covered both the channel that had laid off 170 workers and another broadcaster accused of withholding salaries for three months, while also addressing concerns over the suspension of government advertisements for Dawn. By the end of the discussions, the PRA had ended its walkout after receiving assurances from the minister that the matter would be pursued further.