Islamabad: The elected body of the National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad has expressed deep concern over the sudden decision to take senior journalist and anchorperson Munizae Jahangir off air.
In a joint statement, NPC President Abdul Razaq Sial, Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao, Finance Secretary Abid Abbasi, and members of the Governing Body said that the growing lack of transparency in media organizations, restrictions on freedom of expression, job insecurity, and the continued violation of labour laws have become serious issues, adversely affecting press freedom and the fundamental rights of journalists.
The Governing Body also strongly condemned the non-payment of salaries to employees of Aaj TV for nearly three months, stating that journalists and other media workers are facing severe financial hardship. The prolonged delay in salary payments constitutes a clear violation of labour laws as well as the basic human and professional rights of media employees.
The statement urged that salaries of employees should be treated as the highest priority from all government advertising revenues and other sources of income received by Aaj TV, ensuring the protection of workers’ economic rights.
The elected body also observed that if a media organization decides to take disciplinary or administrative action against an employee, it must do so strictly in accordance with Pakistan’s labour laws and due legal process. Abruptly taking a journalist off air or depriving them of employment is contrary to professional ethics and established labour standards.
The National Press Club called upon the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting to take immediate notice of the matter and play an effective role in addressing the issues of delayed salaries, job insecurity, and other professional challenges faced by journalists and media workers in Aaj TV and across the media industry. The Club also urged the government to ensure strict implementation of labour laws by media owners and discourage arbitrary actions that deprive journalists of their employment and economic rights.
The statement emphasized that a free, independent, and secure press is the cornerstone of a democratic society. Protecting the employment, dignity, and constitutional rights of journalists is a shared responsibility of the state, media owners, and all relevant institutions.
The National Press Club demanded a review of the decision to take Munizae Jahangir off air and called for immediate and effective measures to resolve the economic, professional, and legal issues confronting media workers across Pakistan.
