KARACHI: Hameed Haroon, President, Sarmad Ali, Secretary General, APNS on behalf of the Office Bearers and members of the Society have expressed profound grief over the sad demise of Veteran Colleague, Majid Nizami

(Former President, APNS & CPNE) and Publisher/Chief Editor of Nawa-i-Waqt Group of Publications. They stated that with Nizami, the newspaper industry has lost a staunch and consistent fighter for Press Freedom and democratic rights.

Majid Nizami was born on April 03, 1928. After his M.A. in Political Science, he proceeded to England in 1954,

where he studied Law and International Affairs. In 1962, due to the sudden death of his brother, Hamid Nizami, he had to return to Pakistan and took over the reins of Nawa-i-Waqt. This was the beginning of Ayub Khan’s dictatorial regime. With great courage, he battled the government and in the presidential elections in 1964, Nawa-i-Waqt fearlessly backed Madr-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah, who opposed Ayub Khan as Presidential candidate. After Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan’s martial law regime was also staunchly opposed. During the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the ads of Nawa-i-Waqt were slashed and its quota of newsprint was withheld. Despite this, Nawa-i-Waqt refused to buckle under. Even during General Zia-ul-Haq’s martial law, Majid Nizami held high the flag of unflinching truth. In Nawa-i-Waqt’s editorials, and other times in person, he made his voice heard in support of democratic rights and press freedom. During the Musharraf set-up, Nawa-i-Waqt’s advertisements were banned but no change in policy was forthcoming.

Majid Nizami has been elected president of APNS for the years 1981-1985, 1992 & 1996-1999. He was also elected President of CPNE for several terms. Moreover, he has the unique honour of being elected as president of both the institutions simultaneously for one year. His services to the country have been awarded by the various governments with the single greatest honour that can be given, i.e. the Nishan-i-Imtiaz. Previously he has also received the Sitara-i-Pakistan and the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

The APNS Office Bearers expressed their condolence and prayed that Almighty Allah may rest the departed soul in peace and give patience to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) on behalf of all its members has condoled the sad demise of Majid Nizami.

PBA lauded the services of Majid Nizami to the country and journalism. His immense contribution to the development of free media and journalism in the country will be remembered in years to come, said the statement.

The PBA members pray to the almighty Allah for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to the family to bear this irreparable loss.