ISLAMABAD, March 14: Former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday condoled the death of former chief editor daily Dawn Ahmad Ali Khan and termed it as “a great loss to journalism in the country.”

In a condolence message, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto said late Ahmad Ali Khan was a truly great journalist who never allowed the newspaper he edited to be used for his personal projection nor allowed his personal likes and dislikes to affect his editorial judgments. Ms Bhutto also prayed for a chosen place in heaven to the soul of late Ahmad Ali Khan and also for patience to the members of bereaved family to bear the loss with equanimity.

Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-N Nawaz Sharif in his message expressed his heartfelt condolence over the demise of Khan Sahab. Mr Sharif paid rich tributes to Khan Sahab for his services in the field of journalism and for his upright principles.

He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss.

Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro expressed his grief and sorrow over the demise of the former editor-in-chief of Dawn.

In his condolence message, Mr Soomro paid glowing tributes to Khan Sahab and said Pakistan had lost a conscientious journalist and a torch bearer of press freedom.

Senate Deputy Chairman Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali and Leader of the House in the Senate Wasim Sajjad in their separate messages lauded the contribution of Ahmed Ali Khan for the promotion of objective journalism in the country.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani in his message to the wife of the deceased and eminent writer Hajra Masroor said that the veteran journalist was a distinguished professional and his qualitative approach brought a revolution in the country’s journalism.

Our Correspondent from Attock adds: Local journalists and political leaders condoled the death of former editor-in-chief of Dawn.

In their condolence messages, they paid rich tributes to Khan Sahab and termed it a great national loss.

Pattern-in-chief, Central Union of Journalists, Attock, Qazi Shoaib Khan and CUJ’s members expressed profound grief over the demise of Ahmed Ali Khan and observed that in his death the print media has lost the senior-most and distinguished journalist.

Chairman Attock Press Club Syed Raza Naqvi and its members also expressed heartfelt sorrow over the death of Ahmed Ali Khan and said he was a man of high calibre.

The president District Bar Association Attock, Rana Afsar Ali Khan in his condolence message said that late Ahmed Ali Khan was never faltered in opposing every pressure aimed at gagging the Press. The minister of state for environment Malik Amin Aslam, PPP leaders Malik Hakmeen Khan, Sheikh Ehsan advocate, President Muttahida Mehnat Kash Muhaz Rana Liaquat Ali Khan said that Ahmed Ali Khan’s death was a national loss.