Mehreen Jabbar, one of Pakistan’s most respected directors, has finally spoken out about a major issue in the television industry — delayed payments.
Known for hit dramas like Daam, Jackson Heights, Doraha, and Ek Jhooti Love Story, Mehreen is currently working on a new drama with Adeel Hussain, Shuja Asad, Hajra Yamin, and others.
In a recent interview with Pakistani Drama (YouTube), she shared the financial struggles faced by professionals behind the scenes.
“Yes, the drama industry has grown. But it still lacks professionalism — especially in terms of payments.”
She revealed that actors, directors, and even spot boys often face late or delayed payments.
“You feel like a beggar chasing payments. It’s the same story for everyone. Some production houses are better, but most delay it.”
She also pointed out the extremely low wages of technical crew, adding that the industry has learned to cut costs by paying late and underpaying staff.
“They’ve mastered the art of saving money by paying poorly. I don’t know how this cycle will break.”
Mehreen compared the Pakistani system to the U.S., where, according to her, payments are always made on time, regardless of other flaws in the system.
“It’s stressful to work in Pakistan under such conditions.”
Her bold statement has sparked fresh conversations about the behind-the-scenes exploitation in Pakistan’s booming entertainment industry.
