PHC gives newspaper owners one month to clear journalists’ dues, ensure minimum wage compliance

PESHAWAR, Jul 30 (APP):The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday directed newspaper owners to clear outstanding salaries and dues of journalists and employees within one month, warning that failure to comply could result in legal action.

Justice Muhammad Ijaz Khan issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by newspaper owners seeking the release of pending advertisement payments from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Department.

During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioners argued that substantial advertisement dues were pending with the Information Department, affecting the financial position of newspaper organisations.

Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Faisal Utmankhel informed the court that 17 complaints had been received from journalists regarding unpaid salaries and other outstanding dues.

He said reports indicated that some newspaper owners were paying employees less than the government-notified minimum monthly wage of Rs45,000.

The Advocate General further told the court that journalists were collectively owed around Rs15 million in outstanding payments and that some employees were receiving monthly salaries as low as Rs5,000, Rs8,000 and Rs10,000.

Expressing concern, Justice Ijaz Khan observed that such wages were unacceptable, particularly in view of the prevailing cost of living.

He remarked that the law requires all employers to pay at least the notified minimum wage and said the court could not ignore complaints of labour rights violations.

The judge stated that if employers failed to comply with minimum wage laws, the court would be compelled to order legal proceedings against them, adding that similar action had previously been directed in another case involving labour rights.

Counsel for the newspaper owners requested the court to direct the government to release pending advertisement payments so that salaries and arrears could be cleared.

The court observed that government payments would not be withheld but stressed that newspaper owners must first fulfil their legal obligation to pay employees their salaries and outstanding dues.

The Advocate General also suggested that salaries should be paid through bank accounts to ensure transparency and proper verification of wage payments.

The court granted the newspaper owners one month to clear the outstanding dues and directed the relevant authorities to submit a compliance report before the next hearing, warning that failure to do so could invite legal action.