ISLAMABAD, Jan 11: Speakers paid glowing tributes to Shahnawaz Siddiqui for his services in the field of journalism at a reference arranged in his memory by the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) at National Press Club here on Friday.

The speakers recalled the days they had spent with Shahnawaz Siddiqui, a former photographer of Dawn, who died last week.

They said he was an honest man and, therefore, had been respected among all his colleagues and friends. He remained associated with the journalism profession for over three decades.

Ziauddin, the resident editor Dawn, Islamabad, said Shahnawaz had never been a gatecrasher throughout his career.

He said Shahnawaz was a truly professional man, which earned him great respect among the journalists community.

Fareeda Hafeez, a senior journalist, remembered the days when Shahnawaz worked with her in Urdu daily “Mashriq” as a photographer. She said Shahnawaz always talked like a learned person.

CR Shamsi, the senior vice-president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), also lauded the efforts of Shahnawaz Siddiqui for the cause of journalists’ rights. “Shahnawaz always worked for the welfare of journalists community”, he added.

Mr Shamsi said the services of Shahnawaz would be remembered long.

Ahmad Hassan Alvi, a senior Dawn staffer, said that he had worked with Shahnawaz Siddiqui for over two decades and always found him content with his work.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Ishaque Chaudhry, Tanveer Shahzad, Syed Iqbal Zaidi, Shaukat Siddiqui, Shaheen Siddiqui and Fauzia Shahid.