Away from the hustle and bustle of professional activity and living a quiet peaceful life in retirement, after over half a century of his journalistic career, Ahmed Ali Khan died on Tuesday morning. True, he did not die in harness, yet the imprint he made as the Editor of Dawn, the country's leading daily, on the press is not going to be effaced for years to come.
A conscientious journalist all his life, with an unwavering belief in the freedom of the press and a firm commitment to democratic politics, he made of Dawn a vehicle of objective reporting of national affairs, fearless comment on government policies, and constructive criticism, which was inspired by a deep rooted sense of responsibility and decorum.
He would never yield to the demands of authority impinging on the freedom of the press and would brook no excess against newspapers and newsmen, in an environment which was known for intolerance towards objective reporting and questioning outlook.
As an individual in a crowd, Ahmed Ali Khan stood out for his discretion, his silence, his poise, as if reflecting the concept of grace under pressure. He would always be remembered with affection and deepest respect for the lasting impact that he had on journalists, in the shaping of their individual careers, besides the press as an institution.
In particular, his enormous contribution to the development of English language journalism, and his sustained emphasis on quality, integrity and independence, he will be remembered for the example that he set, and with a modesty that was all his.