Hameed Nizami (1915-1962)

Hameed Nizami was an eminent journalist. He was the founder of the Urdu newspaper Nawa-i-Waqt, and played an important role in the Pakistan Movement.

He was born on October 3, 1915 at Sangla Hill, a small railway junction not far from Faisalabad. He received his early education here and did his Master's in English from the University of the Punjab, Lahore. He was a self-made man and his early life was a great struggle.

While still a student at Islamia College, Lahore, he founded, along with others, the Punjab Muslim Students Federation and became its first elected president. Due to his dynamic role as a student leader, he came close to the Quaid-i-Azam and remained an ardent follower of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League; first as a student leader and later as a journalist.

After attaining his degree, he chose journalism as his career and worked for a short time in the press branch of the Punjab Government. After receiving training under a scheme sponsored by the Punjab Government, he also worked for some time on the staff of National Congress, an Urdu daily started by Dr Satyapal, who represented the liberal wing of the Provincial Congress.

Thereafter, he became the manager of Lahore office of the Orient News Agency and used the resources there for the projection of the League point of view and for helping the cause of Pakistan.

The year 1940 was something of a landmark in the life of Nizami when he launched his fortnightly paper called Nawa-i-Waqt from Lahore on March 23, 1940.

He was elected President of the Punjab Muslim Student’s Federations for the second time in 1942. He was able to convert his fortnightly Nawa-i-Waqt into a weekly on December 15, 1942. In July 1944 it was converted into a daily paper.

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt came out on July 22, 1944 with a prayer and a message of the Quaid-i-Azam. Nizami made Nawa-i-Waqt with all its limitations a powerful newspaper for the cause of Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement.

He was a clear headed, methodical and devoted journalist. With these qualities he made himself a legend. He rendered a lofty service for the cause of Pakistan during the entire period of Pakistan Movement and, later, for the stability of Pakistan. He was a strong spokesman of democracy in the country.

The first Martial Law of 1958 greatly hurt him that proved fatal for his life and he departed in February 1962.

Source: Wikipedia

Back

Riaz Batalvi (1937-2003)

Riaz Batalvi, a journalist, became a writer and a dramatist, giving PTV two of its best productions - Aik Haqeeqat, Aik Afsana and Dubai Chalo. Born as Riazul Hasan in February 1937 in Gurdaspur

Inam Aziz (-1993

Inam Aziz was one of Pakistan's best known journalists who began his long career in the profession with an Urdu daily in Lahore soon after independence. He worked in Peshawar for another newspaper

Aslam Azhar (1932-2015)

Born on 2 September 1932, Aslam Azhar is remembered as the founding father of Pakistan Television. After earning a law degree from Cambridge University, he chose not to pursue a legal career but instead immersed himself in the world of performing arts.

Agha Nasir (1937-2016)

Born on February 9, 1937 in Meerut, India, Agha Nasir was an outstanding director, producer, broadcaster and a TV playwright. After graduating from the University of Karachi, he started his career with a stint with Radio Pakistan in 1955.

Majeed Lahori (1913-1957)

Majeed Lahori, born Abdul Majid Chohan in 1913 in Gujrat, was truly a people's columnist, according to Khalid Hasan, adding what he wrote remains as delightful today as it was then.

I A Rehman

A senior journalist and human rights activist, I A Rehman is known for his outspoken views. He served as editor-in-chief of The Pakistan Times from 1989-90. Since 1990 he has been serving as a director

Nasir Zaidi

On May 13, 1978, four journalists courted arrest at the offices of Musawaat, among them was Nasir Zaidi, a quiet, unassuming and physically frail individual. They were driven away in chains for

Saleem Asmi

Beginning his journalistic career in 1959, Saleem Asmi joined The Times of Karachi as a sub-editor. Like most journalists from his era, he became part of The Pakistan Times, becoming the newspaper's city editor.

Newsroom

Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism

December 15, 2025 Hong Kong’s conviction of Jimmy Lai under the national security law sparks global condemnation from governments and rights groups, intensifying debate over press freedom and judicial independence.

UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety

December 15, 2025 UNESCO report shows global press freedom and journalist safety declining as self-censorship rises and media economics falter, posing growing risks to independent journalism.

HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists

December 15, 2025 Human Rights Watch updates warn that attacks on civilian infrastructure in Lebanon and frontline areas are increasing risks for journalists, complicating access, verification, and newsroom safety planning.

Iran signals media and tourism push to reshape global image

December 15, 2025 Iran’s government says it will align its media and tourism messaging to rebuild its global image after regional conflicts, signaling an expanded state-led narrative and new challenges for journalists.

Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release

December 15, 2025 International rights groups mark the anniversary of Pham Doan Trang’s sentence, renewing calls for her release and highlighting ongoing risks to press freedom and independent reporting in Vietnam.