Veteran actor Syed Mohammed Ahmed has added his voice to a growing chorus of Pakistani entertainment professionals speaking out against the persistent issue of delayed payments in the industry. His callout follows recent comments by director and producer Mehreen Jabbar.

Taking to Instagram with a video message, Ahmed laid bare the emotional and financial toll of chasing what’s rightfully owed to you. “Except a production house or two, I haven’t seen people being paid on time,” he said. “Your payment being delayed for three to four months is normal. That too, after begging for what’s yours… and they will still behave like they’ve done you a huge favour.”

Ahmed described how artists are routinely made to feel like beggars while seeking payment, often enduring long hours on set with no assurance of timely compensation. “Previously, people felt shame in discussing their financial status or the fact that they needed money. But today, money is necessary for survival,” he said. “We really have to kill our egos, our self-respect, to get paid by these production houses.” He expressed gratitude to Jabbar for raising the issue, echoing the sentiment of many who feel exploited in an industry that runs on their labour but fails to respect it.