Report: Hurish Shah FT:
ISLAMABAD –The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch, has expressed serious concern over the non-payment of salaries to media workers and increasing layoffs by media houses, directing the Ministry of Information to submit a comprehensive action plan within 15 days.
The Committee observed that salary delays and termination of employees without prior notice or fulfilment of contractual obligations were seriously affecting media professionals.
The Secretary of the Ministry informed the Committee that the government was regularly releasing payments against dues payable to media outlets. However, he said it was unclear why media organisations were failing to fulfil their obligations. Details of outstanding salaries had been sought from the representative organisation of media workers but were still awaited.
The Committee directed the Ministry to coordinate with media houses and workers’ representatives, obtain details of pending salaries and present a concrete plan within 15 days.
Regarding the alleged assault on the Chairman of the Press Council of Pakistan, the Committee was informed that the matter was pending adjudication and that the Ministry had ordered an inquiry, with a report expected within 60 days. The Committee deferred discussion until completion of the judicial and inquiry proceedings.
The Committee was also briefed on the Central Board of Film Censors and amendments to the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979. It called for greater coordination between federal and provincial authorities to ensure uniform film certification standards across the country.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Kiran Imran Dar, Kiran Haider, Shaheen, Salahuddin Junejo, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi and Rana Ansar, along with the Secretary of Information, Chairperson PEMRA and other relevant officials.
