KARACHI, April 3 With the death of Sabihuddin Ghausi not only has the journalist community lost a committed and thoroughly professional newsman of integrity, but also a supporter of freedom of expression, while Sindh has lost an articulate advocate of its rights.

This was the gist of speeches delivered at a condolence meeting held at the Karachi Press Club on Friday afternoon to pay homage to former KPC president and committed trade unionist Sabihuddin Ghausi.

The meeting was well attended, with journalists and bereaved family members joined by representatives of the business community, economists and trade union leaders.

Sharing their grief with the bereaved family, speakers prayed for Mr Ghausi's soul and for his family to be given the courage to bear the loss.

They eulogised his contribution as a journalist and trade unionist during the struggle for the freedom of the press and expression and the rights of workers. They also lauded his role as a champion for the rights of the oppressed.

Minhaj Barna, veteran leader of journalists and workers of the newspaper industry, paying tribute to Mr Ghausi, said he was an “outstanding soldier of the caravan of freedom of the press and expression who suffered imprisonment and hardships with dignity and remained a fighter to the last”.

The best way to pay tribute to Mr Ghausi was to follow in his footsteps, he said.

Eminent economist Kaiser Bengali said Mr Ghausi was such an outstanding journalist that many economists had to do their homework before inviting him to a press conference, in order to be prepared to respond to his probing questions.

Abdul Hameed Chhapra said he was a man of commitment who had never compromised on his principles.

Ahfaz-ur-Rehman said he was the embodiment of strong character, professionalism and moral values.

Babar Ayaz said he was a man of pluralistic views with a strong desire for peace, particularly with India.

“For him, secularism was an essential part of democracy,” Mr Ayaz said.

Siddique Baloch said he was a good human being, besides being a good journalist. Javed Saba echoed this thought.

Sarfaraz Ahmad said there were few people who had such a commitment to the metropolis of Karachi as Mr Ghausi had, and that his death was a loss not just to the journalist community, but to the entire region.

Yusuf Khan said Mr Ghausi did more than even nationalists when it came to pleading Sindh's case for its economic rights.

Nargis Khanum said Mr Ghausi had a great sense of humour and was a very lively person.

Ahmad Shah said his identity was the KPC and journalism.

Javed Chaudhry said that he had learnt how to speak the truth, even when speaking before a tyrant.

Maqsood Yusufi said he used to guide his juniors on how to become good journalists.

Ehteshamuddin Ghausi, his nephew, said he was not only a good journalist but also a family man, who used to come to the immediate assistance of all those who needed support.

Others who spoke were Tahir Hasan Khan, Akhtar Junagarhi, Mohammad Arif, Wali Rizvi and Habib Khan Ghori.

KPC Secretary A.H. Khanzada conducted the condolence meeting while KPC President Imtiaz Faran presented the vote of thanks.