JournalismPakistan.com | Published October 20, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD — Abbas Nasir, a former editor of Dawn, revealed in his column on Sunday that Cyril Almeida had parted ways with the paper.
“I feel burdened with sadness but wish him the best as he explores new, exciting frontiers,” he wrote.
In September Almeida had made a comeback to the editorial pages of Dawn, after almost eight months.
Nasir was all praise for Almeida. “The confident young man, a Rhodes Scholar who read law at Oxford, was introduced to me by a colleague when I was editor. I remember asking him that while he wished to be a print journalist was he aware of what print journalists make? He smiled and said I was overestimating what lawyers make in Pakistan.”
Nasir wrote that Almeida was so gifted and worked at such speed that he became an editor’s, any editor’s dream.”
He hoped that Almeida returns to Dawn one day as editor.
Later, Almeida announced on Twitter that he had quit Dawn and ended his Sunday column. He said a break from the media was likely.
Some more work news, belatedly: I have resigned from Dawn and ended the Sunday column. Am deeply grateful for the readership and affection over the years. There is no plan to return to writing in the foreseeable future, a break from the media appears to be on the cards. 🙏
— cyril almeida (@cyalm) October 20, 2019
Dawn’s current Editor, Zaffar Abbas in a tweet, said that he was extremely saddned to see Cyril go. “He was one of the brightest stars of Dawn, & Pak journalism, and one of the most honest & bold writers I have worked with. He’ll be greatly missed.”
Extremely saddened to see Cyril go. He was one of the brightest stars of Dawn, & Pak journalism, and one of the most honest & bold writers I have worked with. He’ll be greatly missed. I wish him good luck, and hope one day he will return to journalism and Dawn. https://t.co/yGhjiaDZkw
— Zaffar Abbas (@abbasz55) October 20, 2019
Almeida was involved in controversies that led to court cases against him. In October 2016, his story on the meeting of National Security Committee caused an uproar. Although the then PMLN government rejected the story, the authorities briefly put his name on the exit control list.
In May 2018, Almedia’s interview of Nawaz Sharif led to a treason case against him and Zaffar Abbas, editor of Dawn.
Sharif maintained that the militant organizations were active in Pakistan and asked: “should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?”
In April 2019, Almeida, an assistant editor at Dawn, got the International Press Institute's 2019 World Press Freedom Hero award.
Photo courtesy: IPI
Read more stories about Dawn here
here
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.