KARACHI, March 14: Soyem for Dawn’s late Editor-in-Chief, Ahmad Ali Khan, was held on Wednesday at Sultan Masjid for men and at his residence for women. Besides relatives and family friends, the Soyem was attended by veteran politician and one of the leaders of Pakistan Movement, Yusuf Haroon, and a large number of writers, senior journalists and legislators.

Prominent names included Jameeluddin Aali, Mushtaq Yusufi, Jameel Jalibi, Ferhad Zaidi, Shafi Aqeel, former information minister Javed Jabbar, diplomats Mehdi Masood and Qutbuddin Aziz, prominent surgeon Prof Adeebul Hasan Rizvi, educationists Prof Jamal Naqvi, Prof Muslim Shamim, MNA Capt (retd) Akhlaq Hussain Abidi, MPA Akhtar M. Bilgrami, former president of Aga Khan University Shams Lakha, businessman Yusuf Shirazi, , president of the Defence Residents Society Zafar Iqbal, and director of PIIA, Hafeez R. Khan.

Among those who represented the newspaper industry were Hameed Haroon, the Chief Executive of Dawn Group of Newspapers; Dawn Editor Abbas Nasir and a former editor, Tahir Mirza, Inqilab Matri, Kamal Majeedullah, Bashir Jhumra, Mehmoodul Aziz, columnists Ghazi Salahuddin, M.B. Naqvi and Ghayur-ul-Islam.

Earlier in the day, the provincial minister for culture and tourism, Rauf Siddiqui, and the adviser to the Chief Minister for Home Affairs, Waseem Akhtar, visited the residence of Khan Saheb and offered condolences to the bereaved family.

Prominent people from various walks of life continued to pay tribute and offer condolences.

Mushahid Hussain, the PML Secretary-General, eulogised the role of Ahmad Ali Khan in the history of Pakistani journalism.

Mr Mushahid recalled his association with Khan Saheb when the PML leader was an editor, saying that his courage during the days of President Zia-ul-Haq was inspirational.

The Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys’ Association held an emergency meeting to condole the death of Khan Saheb, who was a senior Aligarian and member of the advisory council of Sir Syed University of Engineerig and Technology (SSUET).

In a speech at the condolence meeting, Zakir Ali Nizami, President of the Association, described the death of Ahmed Ali Khan as a national loss. His historic role in the field of journalism and to the cause of the development of the SSUET will always be remembered, he added.

Zakir Ali said Ahmed Ali Khan was a role model not only for journalists but also for all Aligarians devoted to the cause of the promotion of the ‘Aligarh spirit’.

The research and library staff of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, Karachi, at a meeting presided by its Chairman Fatehyab Ali Khan, offered condolence to Ahmad Ali Khan’s family. The PIIA said the former editor-in-chief of Dawn will always be remembered as an illustrious son of Pakistan.

At a condolence meeting at the Karachi University’s Department of Mass Communications, speakers paid tributes to the late editor for his unforgettable services to the cause of press freedom. The speakers recalled his role in making Dawn a truly independent newspaper which always resisted pressure from all corners.

Prof Zakaria Sajid, a former chairperson of the department and a one-time colleague of Ahmed Ali Khan, praised his services, saying that besides being the best editor of his time, his efforts for improving the working conditions in journalism would also be remembered for a long time.

Nisar Zuberi, a senior journalist and former chairperson of the department, spoke about his sense of devotion to the profession. He said Ahmad Ali Khan never had time for himself as he used to stay in office till late in the night. Another former chairperson, Prof. Dr Tahir Masood, and a senior faculty member, Prof. M Inam Bari, aslo spoke on the achievements of Ahmed Ali Khan. Faculty members and a large number of students of the department attended the meeting.

Khan Saheb’s contribution to literature and journalism was commended at a meeting of the Anjuman Taraqi-i-Urdu.

The president of the Anjuman, Aftab Ahmad Khan, Honrary Secretary Jameeluddin Aali and finance adviser Zafar Rizvi spoke on the occasion.

Defence Residents Society President Zafar Iqbal said Khan Saab was a scholar of high standing and a thorough gentleman. “He was a man of character who would be remembered for long.”

Sindh Labour Minister Mohammad Adil Siddiqui expressed sorrow over the death. In a message, the minister termed the death of Ahmad Ali Khan a national loss.

The minister for women’s development, Dr Saeeda Malik, Sindh Awami National Party’s leader Shahi Syed and Adviser to Chief Minister Syed Manzoor Hjasan lauded the invaluable contribution made by Khan Saheb in the field of journalism.

Sindh Chief Secretary Shakeel Durrani also sent a message to the family of Ahmad Ali Khan.—Staff Reporter