ISLAMABAD, Sept 22: Muhammad Ilyas, a senior journalist at Dawn, passed away in the small hours of Wednesday after undergoing a bypass operation at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi. He was 71.

He leaves behind his wife, two daughters, a son and a large number of friends and colleagues to mourn his death. His mortal remains were buried at the Islamabad Graveyard.

Capital Development Authority Chairman Kamran Lashari, poet Aftab Iqbal Shamim, Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik, poet Tauseef Tabbasum, eminent journalists Minhaj Barna, Israr Ahmed, and trade unionists and political workers attended the funeral.

Muhammad Ilyas' journalistic career spanned over four decades during which he worked for PPI, the Pakistan Times, Frontier Post, Holiday, Dacca, (before establishment of Bangladesh), Daily Musawaat and Weekly Viewpoint.

Earlier, he had also worked with Radio Pakistan and the Punjab Information Department, Rawalpindi, as deputy director. He spent the last part of his career at Dawn, Islamabad, and during this period he contributed extensively on economic and social issues.

During the early sixties, he actively took part in left-wing student politics and reported on major political issues confronting the country. He was closely associated with Dada Amir Haider, the icon of left movement in Rawalpindi.

The late Ilyas used to take keen interest in trade union movement in Rawalpindi. He was deeply involved in the movement for freedom of the press and the press workers rights. Likewise, he had deep interest in progressive movements, devoted to rights of workers, peasants and students.

His interest in trade unionism and freedom of the press was unquestionable. He courted arrest for the rights of the press workers and spent precious time in the infamous Mianwali and Sahiwal jails during the 1970s.

Deeply committed to the profession, Mr Ilyas was always a source of guidance for the young journalists. A well-read man with great intellectual acumen, he often emphasized the need for journalists to acquire knowledge during his interactions with the juniors.

He also held offices of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists. Meanwhile, Dawn staff at a condolence meeting here expressed grief and sorrow over the sudden death of their respected colleague and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest his soul in eternal peace and give fortitude to the bereaved family.