Acclaimed director Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry has spoken candidly about the challenges faced by professionals, highlighting the issue of delayed payments and exploitation of workers. Known for her realistic storytelling and sensitive themes, Jabbar shed light on the struggles of actors, directors, and technical staff in Pakistan’s television sector.
Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani Drama Industry: Unprofessional Practices Continue
In her recent interview, Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry emphasized that while dramas have made remarkable progress in storytelling and popularity, the industry still suffers from unprofessional practices. Among the most pressing issues is the culture of late payments. According to her, almost every production house delays payments, forcing professionals to repeatedly call and request their dues.
This lack of professionalism not only impacts big names but also affects small-scale workers like spot boys, cameramen, and technicians. Jabbar compared the situation with the United States, where she has also worked, stating that even though there are challenges abroad, timely payments remain non-negotiable.
Financial Exploitation in the Drama Industry
Discussing financial struggles, Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry pointed out how production houses often work on tight budgets, prioritizing cost-cutting over fair compensation. The exploitation of staff members—particularly technical teams and low-wage workers—has become normalized. Spot boys, for instance, receive minimal salaries despite being an essential part of production teams.
This systemic issue, Jabbar revealed, reflects a deeper problem where the art of “saving money” has overshadowed the importance of professional ethics. She admitted she does not know when or how this cycle of exploitation will end, as it seems to have become ingrained in industry practices.
Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani Drama Industry: Impact on Creativity
Late payments and financial instability directly affect creativity. Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry argued that when professionals remain preoccupied with financial insecurity, it reduces their ability to focus on producing high-quality work. Creative expression requires peace of mind, and repeated struggles to recover wages discourage many talented individuals from staying in the industry.
As a result, professionals often look for side projects or commercial ventures to maintain financial stability, which diverts attention from meaningful storytelling. Over time, this may contribute to a decline in the quality of dramas, even if the industry remains commercially active.
Industry-Wide Effects of Delayed Payments
The issue raised by Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry extends beyond individuals and impacts the overall ecosystem. Delayed payments create mistrust between artists and production houses, damaging professional relationships. Moreover, it discourages new talent from entering the field, as young professionals often lack the financial resources to sustain themselves during long delays in compensation.
According to industry insiders, payment delays can range from several weeks to even months. Some actors and crew members have reported waiting up to six months for their dues. This instability makes it difficult for workers to plan financially and forces many to abandon their passion for more stable career paths.
Need for Structural Reforms
In her remarks, Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry indirectly called for structural reforms to improve professionalism. She suggested that timely payments should be treated as a fundamental right for everyone involved in production, from lead actors to backstage staff.
Industry experts believe that introducing official contracts, standardized payment schedules, and legal protections could help solve these problems. If production houses face penalties for failing to deliver timely payments, it could push them to adopt more ethical practices.
Current Contributions of Mehreen Jabbar
Despite these challenges, Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry continues to contribute significantly. She is currently directing a new drama series featuring well-known actors like Adeel Hussain, Shuja Asad, and Hajra Yameen. Known for her ability to handle sensitive subjects with nuance, Jabbar remains a respected figure whose insights carry weight within the industry.
Her candid remarks about payment delays shed light on issues often overlooked by audiences, who enjoy dramas without knowing the struggles faced by the people behind the scenes.
Public and Industry Reactions
The public has responded strongly to the concerns highlighted by Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry. Many viewers expressed disappointment that an industry so central to Pakistan’s culture treats its professionals with such disregard. Social media discussions suggest widespread agreement that reforms are necessary to ensure fairness.
Meanwhile, industry veterans have also acknowledged the problem, though solutions remain slow to emerge. A few production houses have recently begun experimenting with better financial management, but systemic change is still far off.
The words of Mehreen Jabbar on Pakistani drama industry serve as an eye-opener for both audiences and stakeholders. While Pakistan’s dramas continue to enjoy global recognition for their quality and storytelling, the internal challenges of unprofessional practices and financial exploitation threaten to undermine progress.
For meaningful growth, the industry must prioritize timely payments, fair wages, and professional accountability. Only then can the creative brilliance of Pakistani dramas truly flourish, providing both entertainment and dignity to those who bring stories to life.
