KARACHI, May 7: Participants at a reference for Ahmad Ali Khan, former editor-in-chief of Dawn, urged the president of Pakistan to confer upon the legendary figure of Khan Sahib a posthumous award befitting his status and service to the homeland, adding that it was a fact that he had never accepted any such recognition during his lifetime.
“This will not only be an honour to the departed genius, but also an honour for the whole nation,” said a resolution unanimously adopted by the participants at the reference held at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, on Monday.
The meeting noted that the faculty of journalism was highly indebted to Khan Sahib for his outstanding contribution to modernising the print media. “With his fund of experience and vast expanse of thought-provoking ideas, the late Ahmad Ali Khan had reshaped Dawn that emerged as more than a newspaper. His innovative contributions to the mass communication discipline are torchbearers for the media professionals,” said the resolution.
Noted economist Aftab Ahmed Khan said Khan Sahib was the epitome of honesty and impartiality who stood by his commitment throughout his life and gave journalism the status it deserved.
“What inspires many that someone with great etiquette and manners, who never spoke loud, could be so firm in the principles he had chosen for him and practised them throughout his life,” said Mr Khan.
Veteran teacher at the mass communication department of the University of Karachi, Zakariya Sajid, said he had had a decades-long association with Khan Sahib during which he found him staying away from everything or situation where honesty and impartiality could be compromised.
“The ethics he followed during his life and his the habit of sharing ideas with his subordinates should be made a norm for every journalist to give the print media a chance to regain its supremacy,” said Prof Sajid.
He said the media bodies etc should launch a medal in the name of Khan Sahib for the journalists who treaded the path of honesty and objectivity in footsteps of the late Mr Khan.
Zubeida Mustafa, assistant editor of Dawn, said Khan Sahib never exploited his position for personal gains; rather he made every effort to save himself from anything that could promote his personality through his position.
“He was a democratic person who never shied away from sharing information and ideas with his juniors,” she said.
Karachi Press Club President Sabihuddin Ghausi said Khan Sahib never lost optimism even during the worst passive conditions.
He said the late Mr Khan was firm and uncompromising in nature and yet was very compassionate and considerate.
Dr Tahir Maqbool read out an informative profile of the late Khan Sahib while Anwarul Haque gave the citation. Syed Saleem Ahmed read out the resolution while Dr Iqbal Afridi conducted the proceedings.