Jang Group's publisher Mir Javedur Rehman passed away in Karachi on Tuesday, Geo TV reported.

Mir Javed was fighting lung cancer and was undergoing treatment in Karachi, senior anchorperson Hamid Mir told Geo News.

The deceased was the older son of Mir Khalilur Rehman, the founder of Jang Group and the brother of Mir Shakilur Rehman, who is the editor-in-chief of the media group. After he took charge of Jang Group, he carried forward his father's legacy and expanded the media group.

His colleagues and friends, who spoke to Geo News, described him as a "humble and simple man" and a hardworking journalist.

Mir Shakil, who is currently under the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) custody in Lahore, had asked for permission to travel to Karachi in order to meet his ailing brother, which was issued by the accountability bureau yesterday.

An accountability court in Lahore granted one day's transitory remand of Mir Shakil today and allowed NAB to take him to Karachi.

According to Geo News, Mir Shakil could not meet Javed before his passing.

Condolences pour in

President Arif Alvi termed Mir Javed as "very soft spoken and nice man" in a condolence message on Twitter.

Waqar Azeemi, a journalist and a friend of the deceased, paid rich tribute to Mir Javed, and said that he carried forward the legacy of his father Mir Khalil who played an important role in "revolutionising Urdu journalism".

Mazhar Abbas, a senior journalist and political analyst associated with Geo recalled a photo of Mir Javed from a meeting with senior journalists in 1989.

Journalist Murtaza Ali Shah said "history will remember" that the deceased was not allowed to meet his brother Mir Shakil.

Journalist Zebunnisa Burki also offered her condolences in a tweet.

Hasan Zaidi, the editor of Dawn magazines, expressed grief over the death of Mir Javed.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said Mir Javed's "services to country's journalism will be remembered for a long time to come" in a message on Twitter.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, in a statement, offered his condolences to the family of the deceased. He lauded Mir Javed's services for the Jang Group, especially its magazine Akhbar-i-Jahan.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi described Mir Javed as a "humble and sympathetic" man.

PML-N lawmaker Khawaja Saad Rafique regretted that Mir Shakil could not meet his brother as he was under NAB's detention.

Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed, while talking to Geo News, said that the deceased was a "down to earth man who never raised his voice".

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also extended her condolences and described Mir Javed as an important personality in the field of journalism who always stood up for freedom of expression.

Life and career

Mir Javed's journalism career spanned over 50 years, digital editor of Jang Fazil Jamili told Dawn. Over the past decade, he oversaw Urdu magazine Akhbar-i-Jahan, which, according to Jamili, was Mir Javed's "last love".

Jamili described Mir Javed as a "perfectionist" and a "strict administrator" who not only reviewed the selection of articles but also pictures and their captions. At the same time, he was a benevolent employer who would support his employees, especially those facing hardships, Jamili said.

The deceased had also been associated with the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) for a long time. He was a strong proponent of freedom of the press.

Additional input by Rana Bilal.