KARACHI - APNS President Hameed Haroon and Secretary General Sarmad Ali, on behalf of the officebearers and members of the Society, have expressed profound grief over the sad demise of veteran colleague Majid Nizami, publisher/Chief Editor Nawa-i-Waqt Group of Publications and former president APNS and CPNE.
In a statement, they stated that with Mr 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 MA 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, Mr Hameed 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 Zulfikar 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 Ziaul 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.
Nizmai had been elected president of APNS for the years 1981-1985, 1992 & 1996-1999. He was also elected CPNE President 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 various governments with the single greatest honour that can be given, i.e. the Nishan-i-Imtiaz. Previously he has also received Sitara-i-Pakistan and Sitara-i-Imtiaz. The APNS officebearers expressed their condolence and prayed for the departed soul.