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/
Businessman, philanthropic and outspoken columnist, Ardeshir Cowasjee was regarded as an 'old guardian' of Karachi city. Cowasjee belonged to a well-known Parsi family of Karachi
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
Farooq Mazhar was Pakistan's most prominent sports journalist, television commentator and former Editor of The News. He died on April 28, 2001 in Bahrain enroute to America after a short illness.
Mazhar Ali Khan served as the Editor-in-Chief of the newspapers Pakistan Times from 1951 to 1959, Dawn in 1972, and the journal Viewpoint. He graduated from the Punjab University in Lahore in 1939
Ghulam Rasul Mehr hailed from Jallunder in East Punjab. He received his education in Lahore from the Mission High School and Islamia College, after which he joined the education department in
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.
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
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
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.