Veteran anchor Kamran Khan joins ARY as chairman after digital platform Nukta struggled to gain traction, raising questions about whether his once-dominant media influence can return on television.
MediaBites News: Imran Malik
Veteran Pakistani television anchor Kamran Khan has joined the ARY Group as chairman, marking another major shift in a career that has spanned some of the country’s most influential media organizations. The move comes after nearly two years in digital media following the struggles of Nukta, a digital news platform he co-launched with property tycoon Malik Riaz.
Widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s most senior and highly paid television journalists, Kamran Khan left traditional broadcast media around two years ago in what was presented as a bold transition toward digital journalism. The idea was to build a strong digital-first news platform at a time when traditional television channels were facing declining audiences and advertising revenues.
Launched with significant hype, funding and a sizeable newsroom of journalists, reporters and digital content creators, Nukta was expected to become a major digital media player. However, despite the high-profile launch and financial backing, the platform struggled to gain public trust, commercial traction and advertising revenue, forcing it to scale down operations within months. Several staff members hired during the expansion phase were reportedly let go as the venture failed to meet expectations.
Media analysts say the experience reflects a broader challenge in Pakistan’s evolving media ecosystem: digital news platforms have yet to fully replace traditional television as the country’s primary source of trusted news. While audiences are increasingly consuming content through YouTube, podcasts and social platforms, serious political talk shows and current affairs discussions are still widely associated with television channels.
For anchors like Kamran Khan—whose signature style revolves around long-form television discussions—the transition to digital formats proved difficult.
Kamran Khan’s influence peaked during his tenure at Geo News, where his flagship programme Aaj Kamran Khan Kay Saath became one of the most powerful and widely watched current affairs shows on Pakistani television. Media analysts consider that period the high point of his broadcast career.
After leaving Geo, he later worked with Dunya News, but critics say he was unable to recreate the same level of ratings dominance or industry impact.
Meanwhile, Geo News anchor Shahzeb Khanzada has continued to dominate the prime-time 10:00 pm slot with his programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, widely regarded as one of the most-watched current affairs shows in Pakistan today.
With Nukta struggling to gain momentum, Kamran Khan’s move to ARY marks a return to the traditional television ecosystem where he originally built his reputation.
For media analysts and young journalists alike, the story offers an important lesson: digital skills may be essential, but audience trust, editorial credibility and investigative journalism remain the real currency of the news industry.
The bigger question now echoing across Pakistan’s media circles is simple:
After the Nukta setback, can Kamran Khan’s once-powerful media magic work again at ARY — or is the industry witnessing the end of an era?
Image courtesy: Nukta
