Maulana Zafar Ali Khan (1873-1956)

Writer, journalist and politician, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan belonged to a learned family of Karamabad district, Gujranwala, Punjab. He received his early education in Wazirabad and Patiala.

After completing his intermediate at Aligarh, he joined the postal department of the state of Jammu and Kashmir but resigned over a row with his seniors.

He rejoined the Aligarh College, graduated, and served as private secretary to the vice-chancellor of the college, Nawab Mohsinul Mulk, who sent him to Darul Tarjuman at Hyderabad Deccan. Although he did sizable translation work there, he left for Bombay after developing differences with the Home Secretary of Deccan Nawab Sarbuland.

Maulana Zafar Ali came back to Deccan after going through a series of unsuccessful business ventures in Bombay. He launched the magazine, The Deccan Review, which soon earned him fame.

At that time his father was editor of weekly Zamindar that was being published from Lahore. The weekly played a prominent role in Pagri Sambhal Jutta Movement aimed at asserting the rights of farmers in colonized areas.

Following his father’s death, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan moved to Lahore and took over Zamindar which became mouthpiece for Muslim anti-colonial politics. He joined the All-India Congress Committee and emerged as a fiery and powerful commentator.

While his agitational attitude earned him popularity, it also resulted in multiple incarcerations. During his time in jail, he composed some powerful devotional poetry. During this period he was a bitter critic of the All-India Muslim League. But when the Sangathan/Shuddhi movements began to gain popularity, he started harboring doubts about Congress’ Hindu leadership. And in 1945-46 he was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly as a Muslim League nominee. He was a key agitator in the Shahidgunj Mosque dispute and several other anti-British movements.

Maulana Zafar Ali penned 30 books, including seven collections of poetry, most notably: Baharistan, Nigaristan and Chamanistan. Some of his other well-known works are: Marka-e-Mazhab-o-Science, Ghalba-e-Rum, Sayr-e-Zulmet, and an opera Jang-e-Roos-o-Japan.

Source: The Oxford Companion to Pakistani History

Photo courtesy: http://farzana.wordpress.com/

Back

Muhammad Ziauddin (1938-2021)

Muhammad Ziauddin, renowned as a capable and fiercely independent journalist, left a lasting legacy spanning over five decades. Known respectfully as Ziauddin Sahab, he was regarded as one of the last legendary journalists in Pakistan.

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.

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

Maleeha Lodhi

Maleeha Lodhi obtained her Ph.D in Politics from the London School of Economics in 1980, having received her B.Sc (Econ) from the same institution in 1976. She taught Politics and Sociology at

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

F.E. Choudhry (1909-2013)

Affectionately known as Chacha in the journalist community, F. E. Choudhry is credited to have introduced innovative features to photojournalism, such as cricket action photography, pictorial and

Omar Kureishi (1928-2005)

Omar Kureishi was a distinguished Pakistani writer. He worked in advertising, aviation and journalism, writing for many newspapers, including Dawn, The Pakistan Times, Morning News and The Guardian, London.

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

Newsroom

Cairo book fair set to open with record participation

January 13, 2026 The 57th Cairo International Book Fair (Jan 21-Feb 3, 2026) in New Cairo hosts 1,457 publishing houses from 83 countries, with Romania as guest of honor.

IFJ condemns Iran's internet blackout during protests

January 13, 2026 The IFJ condemned Iran's internet blackout during protests as a deliberate tactic that cripples reporting, obscures abuses and isolates journalists.

Iran protests strain journalism amid 2,000 deaths

January 13, 2026 Iranian officials say about 2,000 people died in nationwide protests, while internet blackouts and restrictions hinder journalists and impede information flow.

Violence against journalists in the US draws advocacy group calls

January 13, 2026 Groups urge federal action to protect journalists after a rise in violence, harassment, arrests and interference while covering protests in the US.

Journalist appeals to army chief over Islamabad tree cutting

January 13, 2026 Pakistani journalist Rauf Klasra appeals to Army Chief Asim Munir to halt large-scale tree cutting in Islamabad for a memorial, warning of environmental harm amid public silence.