For the past few years, unpitying media houses in Pakistan have been accustomed to keep their employees unpaid and let them suffer the worst. Reporter Mustansar Abbas was one of those media men who suffered terribly and left this mortal world, unsettled.
The reporter of Public News, Mustansar Abbas, was waiting for his salary to be paid for the past four months.
Due to severe economic crunch, the media man suffered cardiac arrest and lost the battle of life.
The gregarious reporter was famous among his colleagues and other media personals for his humble nature and warm-heart.
A few years back, he was diagnosed with cardiac issues but despite medical condition, he continued to work dedicatedly for his organization.
However, his services remained unpaid and the jounalist had to vend household items to earn living.
The non-payment of dues left the reporter with no option but to ignore his deteriorating health while his self-esteem didn’t let him accept grants.
While talking to News360 correspondent, Public News Bureau Chief Nasir Naqvi maintained that issue of non-payment of salaries is a problem in almost all media houses of Pakistan.
“Mustansar was one of our hard-working reporters and we are saddened by his demise as much as his family”, he expressed.
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Bureau Chief claimed that the organization was looking after the reporter’s medical expenses and had granted a sum of Rs 50,000 in this regard.
“The pending wages will be remunerated soon to his family”, Nasir Naqvi added.
Requesting anonymity, sources told News360 that the journalists working in Public News have not received their salaries for more than a year.
Requests were made time and again with the management of media house, however, the organization has acted dumb and mute so far towards the sensitive issue.
Mustansar Abbas’s demise stirred social media and a number of prominent personalities offered solace to the mourning family.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar Khan, Spokesperson of Pakistan Muslim League (PML)-N Maryam Aurangzeb, Secretary Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Rana Muhammad Azeem, and President PFUJ Shehzad Hussain Butt expressed condolences on his demise.
“Mustansar Abbas was a dedicated reporter who ignored his worsening health and kept rendering his services for the media house”, PFUJ officials said.