ISLAMABAD SPECIAL COORESPODENT
Chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Muhammad Saleem Baig, has taken strict notice of complaints against Abtak News regarding delayed salaries, non-compliance with minimum wage laws, and forced terminations. Acting on a formal written complaint filed by Tariq Usmani, President of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), PEMRA has directed the Chief Executive Officer of Abtak News to submit a written response within two weeks at the PEMRA headquarters in Islamabad.
The complaint revealed that the working conditions at Abtak News have deteriorated to the level of a “forced labor camp,” with similar conditions reported across other media houses. On August 25, 2025, Abtak News employees staged a walkout strike in protest of delayed payments, illegal dismissals, and non-implementation of minimum wage laws.
Upon visiting the Abtak News office, RIUJ leadership discovered shocking violations of labor rights. Employees reportedly receive monthly salaries ranging between PKR 12,000 to 35,000—well below the government-mandated minimum wage of PKR 37,000. Worse still, these wages are often delayed by up to two months, and employees receive no additional benefits.
The complaint urges immediate legal action under labor laws against Abtak News administration. It also calls on authorities to ensure that the channel complies with the minimum wage policy and that all salaries are paid on time. Furthermore, the complaint recommends suspending all federal and provincial government advertising and business dealings with the channel until compliance is ensured.
