ISLAMABAD: Journalists, politicians and civil society activists on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to late Mohammad Ziauddin for his services for the cause of independent journalism, democracy and betterment of the media workers and vowed to continue his mission to uphold the truth.

Addressing a memorial reference for late Ziauddin Sb, organised jointly by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), Dawn Workers Union Islamabad and the National Press Club (NPC), the speakers recalled a number of incidents associated with late Ziauddin highlighting his professionalism, high moral standards and struggle for the cause of media freedom.

The speakers shared many incidents to shed light on various aspects of the personality of the late journalist.

The speakers also recalled some instances when Ziauddin flatly refused to get any favour from those in power despite facing financial problems throughout his career spanning nearly 60 years.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Secretary General Farhatullah Babar said he had interacted with Ziauddin Sb in various capacities and that he always found him a man of principles and commitment.

PPP MNA Syed Khushid Shah recalled that his party always used to benefit from Ziauddin Sb’s articles and presentations to understand the economic issues when they were in the opposition in 1990s.

PFUJ secretary general Nasir Zaidi said Ziauddin Sb was perhaps the last professional editor in the newspaper industry who asserted editorial independence and even resigned from the newspapers over interference from the owners and publishers.

Senior journalist and trade unionist Afzal Butt said Ziauddin Sb was very much concerned over the lack of unity among the journalists and made efforts for the unity among various factions of the PFUJ. Dr Athar Mehmood, the son of late Ziauddin Sb also threw light on the personal and family life of the late journalist, saying that he had never seen his father speaking a lie and using abusive language.

Others who spoke on the occasion included National Party Punjab president Ayub Malik, rights activist Farzana Bari, RIUJ president Amir Sajjad, NPC president Shakil Anjum Dawn Union president Mubarak Zeb Khan and senior journalists Fauzia Shahid, Mateeullah Jan, Ihteshamul Haq and Khaleeq Kiani.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2021