Veteran Pakistani director and producer Mehreen Jabbar has spoken out against the long-standing issue of delayed payments in the television industry, calling the system “deeply flawed” and “unprofessional.”
Despite the industry’s rising global popularity and massive local viewership, Jabbar believes its internal practices remain stagnant and exploitative. Drawing a comparison with international standards, she pointed out how other industries operate with basic financial discipline. “In the US, even with all their issues, there’s a fixed schedule for payments. People know when they’ll get paid,” she said. “Here, you have to chase payments like beggars.”
Jabbar stressed that the issue goes beyond lead actors and big names — it affects the entire production ecosystem. From directors to spot boys, and lighting technicians to assistants, no one is spared from the chaos. “Ask anyone and they’ll have horror stories. This is across every channel and production house,” she said.
She particularly highlighted the plight of crew members, many of whom are underpaid and lack any formal protection or rights. “They do the hardest labour. But with no union, no rights, and no fair pay, they remain trapped,” she added.
While some actors have the visibility to raise concerns or pivot to better-paying markets, Jabbar noted that most behind-the-scenes workers simply endure the broken system in silence. “Working in Pakistan has become more disheartening,” she admitted. “Compared to other places, the difference in professionalism and organization is stark.”
She noted that the only exceptions to this dysfunction are short-form or brand-sponsored projects, which tend to have clearer structures, fixed timelines, and better financial accountability due to corporate oversight.
Reflecting on her 30-year career, Jabbar expressed dismay that she’s still confronting the same battles. “In some ways, things have gotten worse. There’s no real change — and I’m not sure if there ever will be.”
Her blunt remarks expose the troubling reality behind the glamour of Pakistani television — a fractured and unsustainable production system that continues to fail its most essential workers.
