State-owned Broadcaster SRBC of Pakistan dismissed all ATV Employees by Islamabad High Court order!
In a shocking turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the country’s media, SRBC-the state-owned operator of ATV-has officially declared the discontinuation of all employee services as part of a court-supervised liquidation. The decision, on orders from the Islamabad High Court, represents one of the most dramatic closures in recent broadcasting history and raises urgent questions about the future of state-run media in the country.
A Sudden and Sweeping Decision
An internal office order, issued on 24 November 2025, instructed SRBC to close the services of all categories of employees by no later than 30 November 2025. This comprehensive direction encompasses all groups of employees: regular employees, those on contract, deputed staff, temporary and daily-wage workers, broadcast resource persons, and even those who are on leave or holding additional charge.
This is an unprecedented decision for a national broadcaster that, at one time, played a significant role in shaping entertainment and information culture in Pakistan.
Mandatory Handovers and Administrative Protocols
Liquidation proceedings are carried out while ensuring strict administrative control. All separated employees have been advised to:
- Submit detailed work status and task completion report.
- Return official files, documents, passwords, electronic assets, and media storage devices
- Complete functional handovers to designated focal persons across administrative, technical, engineering, finance, and station management wings.
Further, in the interest of transparency, employees are required to provide bank details, CNIC copies, and updated contact information to the Administration Office. The meticulous nature of these handover protocols reflects the seriousness of the liquidation and the legal scrutiny surrounding it.
Financial Dues: A Matter of Court-Controlled Priorities
The notice further explains that all financial settlements, including gratuity (where applicable), pending leave encashment, outstanding salary adjustments, and other legitimate claims, will be processed as per SRBC service rules. Nonetheless, these payments are contingent upon the availability of liquidation funds and priority as approved by the Islamabad High Court.
For many employees, this brings in uncertainty, as liquidation scenarios often lead to delays and structured payouts. Still, the assurance of a lawful and rule-based settlement offers some degree of comfort.
Not a Punitive Action, But a Legal Necessity
Perhaps the most significant aspect of the notice pertains to the nature of the service cessation. The SRBC expressed that the termination of all employees is not a disciplinary or punitive decision but has become an inevitable step in the court-ordered dissolution of the organization.
This official communication is signed by Muhammad Atif Saeed on behalf of Khilji Rahat Waheed, Chartered Accountants, who act as the Official Liquidators-a fact that underlines the orderliness and legality of the process.
A Historic End — And an Uncertain Future
The dissolution of SRBC and the shutdown of ATV mark the end of an era for a broadcaster that once reached millions of households across Pakistan. As the liquidation unfolds, both industry watchers and onetime employees are left to ponder what this means for public broadcasting and whether a successor institution may one day rise from the remnants.
Thus, for the time being, the Pakistan media ecosystem said adieu to one of its long-standing pillars—leaving questions, memories, and a critical reminder of how swiftly the tides can turn.
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