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 at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

During the turbulent years of 1970-71 that resulted in the breakup of Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh, Rehman, in his capacity as managing editor of the Urdu daily Azad, opposed the military action taken by the West Pakistan forces in what was then East Pakistan.

During the regime of military dictator Gen Ziaul Haq, Rehman worked as executive director of the weekly magazine, Viewpoint.

Besides numerous articles and papers, Rehman has to his credit three books: Jinnah as Parliamentarian (co-editor), Arts and Crafts of Pakistan and Pakistan under Siege (collection of columns).

He won the Nuremberg International Award for Peace and Human Rights in 2003, and the Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding in 2004.

According to Dr Fauzia Saeed, I A Rehman is an institution. He is an example for the younger generation of journalists and civil society to learn from. For her, media in Pakistan are shallow and people should learn from people like I A Rehman, who strived for larger objectives like social justices, democratic values and human rights while maintaining impartiality at the same time.

Senator Farhatullah Babar says of I A Rehman, he is the only person who can say the most controversial things while remaining uncontroversial. “He has always spoken with sincerity and without any greed.”

Sources: The Oxford Companion to Pakistani History and a news report in The Express Tribune in 2011.

Back

Imtiaz Sipra (1938-2001)

White hair flying with the first touch of air, drooping moustache pure silver with a touch of brown in the middle - brown due to burnt hair because of excessive smoking, Imtiaz Sipra was a phenomenal writer.

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.

Ahmed Ali Khan (1924-2007)

Born in 1924 in Bhopal, Ahmed Ali Khan's association with Dawn began in Delhi in 1946 and ended in Karachi in 2004. He remained with the newspaper for nearly 42 years - 28 of them as editor

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.

Abdullah Malik (1920-2003)

Journalist, writer and political activist, Abdullah Malik wrote in his book Purani Mehfilain Yaad aa Ra'hi Ain: "I can declare with pride that I have spent my entire life wedded to the same commitment

Majid Nizami (1928-2014)

Editor-in-chief and publisher of Nawa-i-Waqt, Majid Nizami was in the field of journalism for almost half a century. He was born in Sangla Hill in Sheikhupura, Punjab, and got his early education

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.

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

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.