ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday issued notices to the federal government, seeking a formal response within two weeks regarding a petition for the immediate constitution of the 9th Wage Board for newspaper employees.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar presided over the hearing of the writ petition filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) and the Islamabad High Court Journalists’ Association.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, Advocate Shahid Mehmood Khokhar argued that the 8th Wage Board Award, which was made effective from February 1, 2019, has completed its five-year tenure and lost its efficacy.

He contended that the 9th Wage Board has been due since February 1, 2026, and the government’s failure to constitute it is a violation of the Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1973.

The counsel said that under Section 9 of the Act, the federal government is legally bound to constitute a board for the fixation of wages. He said the current hyper-inflation has made it impossible for working journalists to survive on existing wages, leading to severe exploitation within the print media sector.

The petition further said the delay in the award is a “nullity in the eyes of law” and infringes upon the fundamental rights of journalists guaranteed by the Constitution under Articles 4, 18, and 25.

The court issued notices to the secretary of the ministry of information and broadcasting and the secretary of the cabinet division, directing them to submit their replies to the contentions raised in the petition.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2026