Deprived: PBC Pindi station staffers without salaries for 11 months

Plan to hold protest; threaten collective suicide.

ISLAMABAD:

More than 25 broadcasters of Rawalpindi Radio Station have been deprived of salaries for the past 11 months.

Their representatives told The Express Tribune that they plan to protest against the administration and have threatened to stage a collective suicide. Official sources, on the condition of anonymity, said that Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) has been facing a financial crisis for the last few years.

On behalf of the administration, President United Staff Organisation Azad Khan said the issue of announcers and composers has been raised before Director General PBC Murtaza Solangi and the issue will be resolved “soon”.

Mubashir Manjuka, the PBC spokesperson, said salary cheques had been sent to all radio stations before Eid, so the deprived broadcasters should contact their organisation heads. The broadcasters will meet with Station Director Ijaz Waqar on September 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2011.