Pakistani Artists speak out against Delayed Payments

Pakistani actors and directors are once again speaking out about the culture of delayed payments that has long plagued the television industry.

Senior actor Mohammad Ahmed told BBC Urdu that waiting six to eight months for dues has become a “normal” practice.

He described how artists are left pleading for their salaries, forced to submit applications and explain their financial conditions.

Even after this, they are handed partial amounts.

Ahmed said producers often dismiss requests for complete payment by reminding actors of a cheque given weeks earlier, leaving them humiliated.

Hajra Yamin echoed his concerns, pointing out that contracts almost always favour the production side while penalising actors.

She said if a shoot is cancelled due to an artist’s absence, damages must be paid, yet cancellations by producers carry no consequences.

Saheefa Jabbar Khattak shared that she introduced clauses in her contracts addressing harassment and health coverage, but they sparked controversy.

She explained that she often needs months of therapy after completing dramas because of the extreme stress of production schedules.

Hajra also revealed that when she was injured on set, she was simply told to return home without assistance.

Mohammad Ahmed added that despite managing diabetes and personal wardrobe expenses, he has never received adequate consideration on sets.

Director Mehreen Jabbar criticised the system as deeply flawed and said crew members, often the most vulnerable, suffer the worst.

She noted that many actors and technicians remain silent about the abuse out of fear of losing future work.

Ahmed admitted that he too kept quiet for years but now chooses to raise his voice, regardless of consequences.

The problem, according to several artists, is widespread, with only a handful of companies honouring payment timelines.

Ahmed said that for most actors, waiting three to four months has become standard, even though contracts promise sixty to ninety days.

He stressed that actors are not beggars and should not have to justify their financial struggles just to receive dues.

Previously, Osman Khalid Butt and Saad Qureshi also expressed their frustration, with the latter saying he would rather not act than beg.

Nadia Afgan revealed that she maintains a “black book” of producers who failed to clear payments, refusing to work with them again.

She argued that new actors often accept exploitative conditions, unintentionally allowing this culture of abuse to continue unchecked.

Industry voices are now demanding enforceable contracts and legal safeguards to protect not just actors but everyone contributing to a project.

Without immediate reforms, they warn that the toxic cycle of disrespect and delayed payments will continue damaging Pakistani television.

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