KARACHI, Feb 9: Rich tributes were paid to the outstanding journalists and senior members of the Karachi Press Club, M. H. Askari, Nizam Siddiqui and Ghulam Ali Kaka, and an associate member, Dr Dalpat Sanovaria, at a condolence meeting held at the KPC on Wednesday.

KPC President Sabihuddin Ghausi presided over the reference. Those who spoke on the occasion included Mehmood Sham, Hasan Abidi, Abdul Hameed Chapra, Idrees Bakhtiar, Mazhar Abbas, Najeeb Ahmed, Nazeer Leghari, Brig (r) A. R. Siddiqui, Maqsood Yusufi and Habib Khan Ghori.

Birjees Siddiqui, sister of Nizam Siddiqui, Ali Hasan Askari, son of M. H. Askari, Saqlain Abbas, nephew of Ghulam Ali and Anil Dalpat, son Dalpat Sanovaria recalled the memories of their loved ones.

The speakers commended the senior journalists' contribution, integrity and commitment to their profession, and said that their works, if published in the form of a book, could serve as a guide for newcomers in the profession. Each of them had a common objective - encouraging and guiding the juniors - and those who benefited from their supervision and guidance, were now missing them as their 'personal loss', the speakers observed.

Mehmood Sham said that the late journalists, particularly Nizam Siddiqui and M. H. Askari, were among a few intellectuals who very closely witnessed all events right from the Pakistan Movement till the phase it was passing through these days; and these events included dismemberment of the country and a series of crises it faced in its history.

"Whatever freedom the press is enjoying today, may be attributed to the services of this breed of the journalists who, in spite of a strict censorship imposed by autocratic forces in the power corridors, remained steadfast in upholding truth and never compromised on the dignity of their profession."

Mr Sham said that it was time for the new generation to follow such people's spirit and struggle to accomplish their mission of protecting freedom of press, adding that journalists should the use the press freedom for resolving the problems being faced by people instead of publishing statements of various politicians.

APNEC Chairman Abdul Hameed Chapra said that the late journalists were all straight forward and honest gentlemen of remarkable professional standing whose contribution to the profession would always be remembered.

KUJ President Mazhar Abbas said their demise was a big loss to the journalist community.

KPC chief Sabihuddin Ghausi described Nizam Siddiqui as 'a genuine representative of 'angry young men' who, despite maintaining close relations with the rulers of his time, preferred to live a simple life.

He said Ghulam Ali Kaka was a self-made person who worked very hard throughout his life and had to do all sorts of odd jobs to make both ends meet mainly for the sake of learning. His efforts bore fruit as he became an outstanding professional journalist and achieved an unimpeachable.

Paying glowing tributes to the services of M. H. Askari, Brig (r) A. R. Siddiqui recalled his 60-year-long association with the late journalist and said that he always found Mr Askari a soft-spoken man who never compromised on principles.

Idrees Bakhtiar said that Ghulam Ali was a like a 'gem' among the glittering lot of journalist fraternity. He will always be remembered for the witty remarks he would always pass even amidst harshest circumstances around.

Most of the speakers referred to Dr Dalpat Senovaria's contribution to the world of cricket as well as his services to the medical field as a specialist of jaundice treatment.