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.
As member of the core team in the early 1980s, Asmi is also known for designing the first layout of The Muslim, a paper that became a nursery for many journalists in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Later, he moved to Dubai to become the news editor of the Khaleej Times. In 1988 he came back and joined Dawn as its city editor. He was the paper’s editor when he stopped working in 2003.
He is also credited for launching the Books and Authors magazine of Dawn. He also worked with the Gulf News and as a contributor for Herald and Newsline magazines.
Recently his book Saleem Asmi: Interviews, Articles, Reviews, a compilation of his writings was published. He also served as president of the Karachi Press Club.
(Source: various news reports)
Khalid Hasan (1935-2009)
Khalid Hasan was a senior Pakistani journalist and writer. He was born in Srinagar, Kashmir. He was the brother in law of the first elected president of Azad Jammu & Kashmir K H Khurshid, private secretary
Safdar Mir (1922-1998)
Born in Lahore, Mohammad Safdar Mir was respected and feared for his encyclopedic knowledge, making his mark as a poet and playwright. He acted on stage in both Bombay and Lahore
Minhaj Barna (1925-2011)
The death of Minhaj Barna in Rawalpindi at the age of 87 on January 14, 2011 marked the end of an era.Even journalists who had never met him in person were familiar with his name and his
Najam Sethi
Najam Sethi is an award-winning journalist and media personality. He is the Editor-in-Chief of The Friday Times, a Lahore-based political weekly. He was previously the Editor of Daily Times and
Ayaz Amir
A prominent print and television journalist, columnist, political analyst, and commentator, Ayaz Amir became known for his weekly columns in Daily Dawn. He started writing for Dawn during the government of Ziaul Haq
Zamir Niazi (1932-2004)
Zamir Niazi was a renowned Pakistani journalist, famous for his commitment to the freedom of the press. He worked for Dawn, Daily News and Business Recorder and also edited the monthly Recorder and the weekly Current.
Nisar Osmani
Born in Allahabad in 1931, Mr. Nisar Osmani had his early education in India. Migrating from India soon after the creation of Pakistan, Nisar Osmani stepped into practical life as a school teacher in Bahawalpur.
Mushahid Hussain Sayed
Mushahid Hussain Sayed has the distinction of becoming the youngest editor of a national English daily The Muslim (now defunct). He achieved this honor at the age of 29 in 1982.
Newsroom

Global press freedom hits historic low, RSF reports
April 30, 2026 Reporters Without Borders says global press freedom is at its lowest in 25 years, with over half of countries now rated 'difficult' or 'very serious'.

Zambia cancels RightsCon 2026 days before start
April 30, 2026 Zambia cancelled RightsCon 2026 days before the Lusaka event, citing values and diplomatic protocols, prompting global concern among rights groups.

Dawn CEO flags new era of media pressure in Pakistan
April 30, 2026 Dawn CEO Hameed Haroon warns that press freedom in Pakistan has shifted from visible censorship to diffuse economic and regulatory pressures limiting journalism.

Journalists at war with themselves: A crisis no one will win
April 30, 2026 Pakistan's journalists are divided after an Islamabad event sparked clashes over press club authority, union rivalries and a wave of hostile social media exchanges.

Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut freed in US brokered swap
April 29, 2026 Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut was freed in a U.S.-brokered prisoner swap in late April 2026, ending his long detention on political charges.

