Islamabad : The employees of Radio Pakistan are facing growing financial and administrative difficulties as delays in salary adjustments, shrinking medical facilities, and late payments to artists continue to create uncertainty within the state broadcaster, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The source said that although salaries for the current month were released earlier than usual ahead of Eid, several long standing financial and administrative problems remain unresolved.
The employees are still waiting for the implementation of salary increases announced in the previous Federal Budget 2025-26, while concerns over declining benefits and operational cutbacks are
increasing among staff members.
According to the source, a seven percent salary increase approved last year has yet to be implemented for Radio Pakistan employees. The source further claimed that previous budgetary increases were also delayed in the past, with some allowances and benefits approved months
later without the payment of full arrears.
“Other GOVT. departments moved ahead in terms of salaries and allowances, while Radio Pakistan employees have fallen behind” the source said, adding that workers feel increasingly
neglected despite continuing to perform their duties under difficult circumstances.
The source explained that as a state run media organisation, Radio Pakistan depends heavily on GOVT. funding and does not function as a commercial profit generating institution. Any delay in
the release of funds by finance authorities directly impacts salaries, operational budgets, transport
facilities, and employee welfare programs.
The employees say cost cutting measures have become increasingly visible in recent months. Operational budgets for programs have reportedly been reduced, forcing producers to cut expenses and limit the number of participants in some broadcasts. In certain cases staff members are now managing multiple responsibilities due to budget constraints.
The source also stated that fuel allocations for official vehicles have been reduced as part of broader austerity measures.Medical facilities previously available to employees have also been significantly reduced. In earlier years, employees and their families could receive treatment at a panel of private and public
hospitals, including major institutions in Islamabad. However, many hospitals reportedly stopped accepting Radio Pakistan patients after pending dues remained unpaid for long periods.
“Employees now mostly depend on GOVT hospitals, and reimbursement claims are either delayed or never submitted because people fear they may not get their money back”the source added.
Employees are also expressing concern over the decline in house rent and other allowances compared to benefits being provided in other public sector organisations. According to the source, many workers believe that Radio Pakistan employees have gradually fallen behind
financially compared to staff in other GOVT institutions.
The artists associated with Radio Pakistan are also facing payment delays. According to the source,
artists are currently receiving payments with a delay of around one to one-and-a-half months. The payments for March were recently issued, while payments for April are still pending. Although the
delays are shorter than those experienced in previous years, artists and contributors remain worried about financial uncertainty.
Another major concern highlighted by employees is the delay in convening meetings of the organisation’s board due to incomplete appointments of board members. Employees believe that
several financial approvals, policy matters, and administrative decisions remain pending because Despite the challenges, broadcasts and programming operations continue. However, employees
say the institution is functioning under increasing financial pressure, while uncertainty over pending benefits and administrative delays continues to affect morale within the organisation.