LAHORE, Feb 18: Noted journalist Ali Akhtar Mirza died of a cardiac arrest here on Monday. He was 83.

Born in Jullandhur, India, in 1919, he did his masters in English from the Government College, Lahore. He also had postgraduation in law and political science.

Mr Mirza leaves behind a widow and two daughters. His daughter Ms Rehana Rasul told Dawn that her father started his career from the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Later, he joined The Civil and Military Gazette for some time.

He was one of the pioneers of The Pakistan Times. He joined the PT as a correspondent and later worked on different positions.

Ms Rasul said her father left the PT in the early 80s and he remained president of the Progressive Papers Limited (PPL) for four years.

Mr Mirza actively participated in journalists’ movement against Gen Ziaul Haq, especially workers’ movement of daily Musawat.

He also courted arrest in protest against attempts to gag the press.

Ms Rasul said her father also worked for The Muslim for some time and joined The Frontier Post as an associate editor. He left the FP in 1988.

He was laid to rest in the local graveyard.