KARACHI, March 20: Senior journalists at a condolence meeting held at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday paid glowing tributes to former Editor-in-Chief of Dawn, Ahmad Ali Khan and said Khan Saheb set some difficult but well appreciated traditions for fellow journalists, which were not easy or convenient to practice.

The speakers included President KPC Sabihuddin Ghausi, Assistant Editor Dawn Mohammad Ali Siddiqui,, Resident Editor Daily Times Sarfaraz Ahmed, Chairman All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (Apnec) Shafiuddin Ashraf, Assistant Editor Dawn Zubeida Mustafa, Senior Reporter Dawn Habib Khan Ghori, Abdul Hameed Chhapra, Babar Ayaz, Yusuf Khan and Fazil Jamili. Mr Ghausi said Khan Saheb had never gone for perks and privileges like many others in the profession and set traditions, which is the right path for true journalists but at the same time difficult to adopt.

“He was truly a giant of journalism and had a lion’s heart to face all sorts of difficulties without compromising on his principles,” said Mr Ghausi.

Mr Siddiqui said late Khan Saheb was epitome of mannerism and professionalism who had many feathers in his cap regarding the milestones achieved in Dawn and the profession at large. He said late Khan Saheb was like an elder family member for his contemporaries.

Sarfaraz Ahmed said Khan Saheb was a giant of the profession and had great respect for the judiciary. Besides, Khan Saheb was a peace-loving person who opposed the nuclear test by Pakistan in retaliation to the tests conducted by India.

Zubeida Mustafa said Khan Saheb encouraged and helped women journalists at a time when few women were in the profession. She said he gave matchless authenticity and reputation to Dawn and made journalism a public domain.

Abdul Hameed Chhapra said Khan Saheb was the last working editor who became chief of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE).

Other speakers also eulogised Khan Saheb’s contribution in the profession and said journalism was a mission for him and he remained committed to it throughout his life.

Khan Saheb’s widow and prominent short storywriter of Urdu Hajra Masroor and former editor Dawn Tahir Mirza were also present at the meeting.