ARY Group is close to acquiring Nukta, the digital media outlet founded by Kamran Khan, in a deal that may also bring his prime-time show to ARY.
Deal Reportedly in Final Stages
The ARY Group is reportedly close to finalising a deal to acquire Nukta, the digital media platform founded by senior journalist Kamran Khan. According to people familiar with the matter, the transaction has entered its last stages, with only a few commercial and structural details left to be agreed.
A report by business publication Profit quoted senior officials from both organisations as saying that the deal is “almost final.” While the exact structure and valuation of the transaction have not yet been made public, insiders suggest that the agreement will likely include a prime-time current affairs show for Kamran Khan on ARY’s television network along with the transfer of Nukta’s digital assets.
How Nukta Rose Quickly Then Faced Financial Pressure
Nukta was launched in November 2024 as a digital-first news and analysis platform, with backing from property tycoon Malik Riaz. The outlet entered Pakistan’s crowded digital media market with an ambitious content strategy, a large editorial and production team, and a focus on high-frequency video and social media output.
In the first phase, Nukta managed to build noticeable visibility online, producing a significant volume of stories, talk shows and explainer videos. Its content gained traction among urban, politically engaged audiences who follow news mainly through YouTube, X, Facebook and other digital platforms.
However, the platform soon came under financial strain. Following the withdrawal of funding from its original backer, Nukta struggled to sustain its high-cost operations. Multiple rounds of layoffs were carried out, including a major downsizing in November 2025, as management tried to reduce expenses and keep the outlet running with a smaller team.
What ARY Gains from the Nukta Acquisition
For ARY, acquiring Nukta would mean absorbing a ready-made digital news operation into an already large television and online portfolio. Instead of building a new digital brand from scratch, ARY would gain access to Nukta’s existing production workflows, social media channels and audience base, which could be integrated into its broader news ecosystem.
The reported deal also includes a prime-time show for Kamran Khan, which would strengthen ARY’s line-up of political and current affairs programming. Kamran Khan is one of Pakistan’s most recognisable news personalities, and his presence on ARY could attract viewers and advertisers looking for high-impact talk shows and analysis.
At this stage, it is not clear whether Nukta will continue to operate under its own brand or be rebranded and merged into ARY’s existing news and digital platforms. The final decision is likely to depend on strategic positioning, audience overlap and how ARY wants to present its combined news offering in a competitive market.
End of Malik Riaz’s Media Ambitions?
If the acquisition goes through as reported, it would effectively mark the end of Malik Riaz’s latest attempt to gain a stable foothold in the media industry. His backing allowed Nukta to launch with scale, but the project struggled to move towards financial sustainability once core funding came under pressure.
The Nukta case highlights how difficult it can be to run a large, independent digital newsroom in Pakistan without a clear path to steady revenue. Advertising budgets are limited, monetisation on global platforms is often unpredictable and political or regulatory pressures can make long-term planning even more challenging.
What the Deal Signals for Pakistan’s Digital Media Landscape
The possible ARY–Nukta transaction is another sign of consolidation in Pakistan’s digital news ecosystem. As competition intensifies and standalone platforms face rising costs, many are either scaling back, seeking alliances with established broadcasters or pivoting to leaner business models.
For large networks like ARY, buying or partnering with existing digital players can be a faster way to expand online reach than building new brands from the ground up. For smaller outlets, joining forces with a big network can provide financial stability, access to better infrastructure and a wider distribution network, though it may also mean giving up some editorial independence.
For audiences, the outcome will depend on how ARY chooses to integrate Nukta’s style of coverage and digital formats. If managed well, the deal could lead to stronger digital journalism with better resources behind it. If not, it may simply become one more example of how financial and political pressures continue to reshape who owns and controls Pakistan’s news platforms.
