Glowing tributes were paid here to late Zamir Niazi for his devotion to press freedom and a passion for research into the conditions of the press industry in Pakistan as also on various other aspects of public concern in Pakistan.
The meeting was called by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) to pay tributes to the late Zamir Niazi, campaigner for press freedom in Pakistan. Presided over by Vice President CPNE Mahmudul Aziz the meeting was addressed by Editor in Chief Business Recorder M. A. Zuberi, CPNE Secretary General Dr Jabber Khattak, Professor Tauseef Ahmed of the Urdu University Mass Communication Department, well known educationist Riaz Siddiqui and Nasir Dad Baloch, Editor of Sindh Sujag.
M. A. Zuberi, Editor in Chief of the Business Recorder recalled his association with late Zamir Niazi and said that be brought Zamir Niazi into journalism in Delhi when he worked with the Dawn after being appointed in the newspaper by no less a person than Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Zuberi recalled that Zamir Niazi was actively engaged in journalism and considered it a profession with a very noble call, not a job with pure mercenary interest.
M. A. Zuberi recalled the 28 years association that Zamir Niazi had with the Business Recorder when Zamir Niazi joined him in the publication of The Business Recorder as an economic daily.
Zuberi said that late Zamir Niazi considered journalism a mission and worked for the freedom of the press throughout his life. In his opinion Zamir Niazi had set a very high standard of ethics and honesty in journalism and this needs to be emulated by the younger element now entering journalism.
They must learn the spirit of sacrifice for the journalistic profession from late Zamir Niazi.
Dr Jabbar Khattak, Secretary General of the CPNE, speaking on the occasion said that Zamir Niazi believed in professionalism in journalism and did not hesitate even to disagree with friends when it came to principles.
He said that Zamir Niazi had shown the road to honest and truthful journalism, something that the country needed much more today than in the past.
He hoped that the journalists in the country would learn from his example of devotion to ideals.
Professor Tauseef Ahmed, Professor in the Mass Communications Department of the Urdu University recalled his long association with late Zamir Niazi, especially in the field of research and said that the library, which Zamir Niazi maintained was very rich in original manuscripts, historic documents and important references.
The quality of Zamir Niazi as a researcher in respect of problems of the press, the people at large and the impact of negative trends on society must also be understood and appreciated.
Professor Riaz Siddiqui, a leading educationist who is also associated with literary monthlies in Urdu, said that he had known Zamir Niazi very closely as a colleague engaged in research work.
He said Zamir Niazi possessed a conscience that always rebelled against injustice and abuse of authority. This was one quality in him, which resulted in the production of valuable books in journalism by Zamir Niazi.
Nasir Dad Baluch, Editor of Sindh Sujag, speaking on the occasion said that Zamir Niazi had the qualities of head and heart that made him a fearless journalist, an ideal that must be emulated by the new entrants in journalism.
He said Zamir Niazi's contribution to the struggle for freedom of press was tremendous and for this everyone in the press community was grateful to him.
Summing up the views expressed by the different speakers, Mahmudul Aziz thanked them profusely and said that the CPNE had held the reference for late Zamir Niazi to acknowledge the great contribution made by him in the struggle for press freedom in Pakistan.
Mahmudul Aziz recalled that Zamir Niazi always stood up against censorship, injustice and efforts to control the press and force newspapers into conformity with the requirements of the government of the day.
He said that Zamir Niazi also based his writing on hard facts and for this he understood extensive research, a quality that needs to be emulated by the younger entrants in journalism today.
He said that Zamir Niazi was busy in compiling more than one book on the prevailing scene in the country, in all its aspects, when breathed his last and hoped that his both sons would complete the task of publishing the unfinished books of their father and said that the CPNE would be happy to assist in that task.
M. A. Zuberi said that Zamir Niazi always adhered to the motto given by the Quaid which was as follows: "Never ask for favours, because then in return you will have to give favours. Be truthful, criticise honestly even if it is me (The Quaid), but own up a mistake willingly and readily".
Among those who came for the reference were Watan Gujrati Editor Usman Sati, Kafil Ahmed and several others. Though the Saddar area was disturbed after Friday prayers and the offices and shops had closed down, the auditorium of the CPNE was kept open for the reference meeting.
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