ISLAMABD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the non-payment of salaries to media workers and increasing layoffs by media houses despite the government’s regular release of outstanding payments to media organisations, directing the Ministry of Information to submit a comprehensive action plan within 15 days to address the issue.
The committee, chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch at Parliament House, took serious notice of media organisations delaying salaries and terminating employees without prior notice or fulfilling contractual obligations, observing that such practices were jeopardising the livelihoods and financial security of media professionals.
During the meeting, the Secretary Information informed the committee that the government was regularly clearing payments owed to media outlets, but questioned why media organisations continued to fail to meet their financial obligations towards employees.
He further informed the committee that details of outstanding salaries had been sought from representative organisations of media workers in accordance with its earlier directions, but the required information had not yet been received.
The committee directed the ministry to engage with media houses, journalists’ representative bodies and other relevant stakeholders to obtain details of unpaid salaries and formulate a concrete strategy to ensure timely payments to affected employees.
It stressed that the Issue required immediate attention and effective coordination among all stakeholders, directing the ministry to present a comprehensive report and proposed remedial measures within 15 days.
Separately, the committee discussed the reported assault on the Chairman of the Press Council of Pakistan. It was informed that the matter was pending adjudication and that the Ministry of Information had already ordered an investigation into the allegations.
The committee was informed that the investigating body had been directed to submit its findings within 60 days.
In view of the ongoing judicial proceedings and departmental investigation, the committee decided to defer further deliberations until the conclusion of both processes, observing that parallel discussions could potentially prejudice the proceedings.
The committee also reviewed the performance of the Central Board of Film Censors and was briefed on recent amendments to the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979, which would introduce changes to the board’s nomenclature, composition and functioning.
Members expressed concern over the absence of a unified film certification framework in the country, noting that separate provincial certification mechanisms could result in inconsistent standards and regulatory practices.
The committee called for improved coordination between federal and provincial authorities to develop a harmonised film certification mechanism while respecting their respective constitutional jurisdictions.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Kiran Imran Dar, Kiran Haider, Shaheen, Salahuddin Junejo, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi and Rana Ansar, along with the Secretary Information, PEMRA Chairperson and senior officials of relevant departments.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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