ISLAMABAD, May 23: The federal executive council (FEC) of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (Dastoor group) has strongly condemned the sacking of journalists and other staff from various news channels, and delay in payment of their salaries.

The FEC at its meeting, presided over by its president Idrees Bakhtiar, took stock of the difficulties being faced by the employees of many TV channels and newspapers, says a press release.

It expressed grave concern over the sacking of a large number of employees from Geo TV.

The FEC was informed that during the last couple of months more than 150 employees of Geo have been sacked.

The statement said in the recent past some other channels have also sacked a number of employees without any justification. They include Aaj, Samaa, Channel 5, DawnNews and ARY.

The FEC expressed it concern over the delay in the payment of salaries to the employees of some channels.

It demanded that the channels and newspapers should ensure the security of their reporters, cameramen and other employees covering violence in various cities and that they are fully insured.