By Hafiz Ullah Storai Sherani
ISLAMABAD
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, while initiating the launch of the official website of the National Press Club, also spoke about the significance of print and electronic media.
“The day print and electronic media come to an end in society, that day society itself will cease to exist,” he said, despite the fact that contrary to his assertion the media in Pakistan is currently undergoing one of the worst financial crises, censorship regimes, and waves of unemployment in its history. On one side, television channels are laying off staff en masse and withholding salaries for months; at the same time, strong and independent journalist voices are being abruptly taken off the air and anchorpersons are having their programs terminated.
While the Information Minister acknowledges that society cannot function without journalism, just days prior, ‘Spotlight‘ an 11-year-old show hosted by Munizae Jahangir, a powerful voice for constitutional rights and marginalized communities was pulled off the air without prior notice, and she was dismissed.
“The Constitution grants every citizen the right to freedom of expression, but unfortunately, we (journalists) do not enjoy this right in practice,” said Dr. Sadia Kamal, President of PFUJ Workers, speaking to Voicepk. “I strongly condemn Munizae Jahangir’s dismissal from Aaj TV. She is a powerful voice, the daughter of Pakistan’s role model Asma Jahangir, and has rendered immense services of her own. This is a deeply regrettable act.”
Affected ATV workers, and for those who were unable to come, their representatives, also came to the launch of the website at the Press Club. They questioned the Information Minister, but their query remained unanswered.
“Over 280 of us employees have been affected,” said Samina Abbasi, a former ATV employee who has also been affected. Our organization is closed, no salaries have been paid, and no one has bothered to ask about us. I came here to present my grievance before the Minister, but I was neither heard nor allowed to ask my question.”
Concerns among journalist organizations continue to rise regarding widespread layoffs and the closure of media channels across the country.
Former President of the Islamabad Press Club, Shakeel Qarar, told Voicepk, “People used to say, ‘Save Journalism,’ but the situation has degenerated to the point where they now say, “Save Journalists”. Thousands of journalists and media workers have been left unemployed.”
But Minister Attaullah Tarar does not agree about there being any clampdown.
“Yes, there is plenty of freedom of expression in Pakistan,” he claimed, when asked about whether freedom of expression truly exists in Pakistan, given the severe criticism from national and international press freedom organizations.
During the event, the Information Minister also said that he had spoken with media owners regarding unpaid salaries of several months at Aaj TV and other channels, and promised that the issue would be resolved soon. He stressed that ensuring timely salary disbursements was the responsibility of all media organizations. While acknowledging the government’s duty, he advised journalist organizations to unite and present concrete proposals to the government.
Tarar noted that past policies contributed to the financial distress of TV channels. Criticizing previous administrations, he stated that advertisement rates for TV channels were slashed instead of increased, which cannot be reversed overnight with the stroke of a pen.
Contrary to official claims and announcements, figures from national and international media organizations depict a vastly different reality. Reports from journalist unions (PFUJ, IFJ) indicate that thousands of journalists and media workers have lost their jobs in recent years due to economic censorship and organizational downsizing.
According to media watchdogs including Freedom Network, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and PFUJ the weaponization of laws like the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), advertisement censorship, and severe economic distress have continually escalated legal, financial, and physical pressures on journalists. As a result of these measures, over 129 violations were recorded nationwide, coercing journalists into severe self-censorship and placing Pakistan at 153rd out of 180 countries in the global Press Freedom Index.