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

Ghulam Rasul Mehr (1895-1971)

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

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.

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.

Anwar Ali (1922-2004)

Anwar Ali, creator of famous character Nanna, was the first newspaper cartoonist associated with The Pakistan Times. Born on April 18, 1922 in Ludhiana, his association with this newspaper

Khalid Akhtar (1935-2005)

Khalid Akhtar was a senior journalist who started his career in 1973 as a Sub-Editor and Editorial Writer with The New Times. He worked with The Muslim in Islamabad as its Executive Editor

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

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

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

Newsroom

Asian journalists urge Iran to protect reporters amid unrest

January 16, 2026 Asia Journalist Association urges Iran to stop using force, protect reporters covering protests, and respect press freedom and the public's right to information.

Asia press clubs adapt as political pressure reshapes spaces

January 16, 2026 Press clubs across Asia are altering operations as political pressure, legal limits and safety concerns constrain journalists' meetings and collaboration.

Tarar visits Ishrat Fatima, invites her to train at PTV

January 15, 2026 Information Minister Ataullah Tarar visited veteran broadcaster Ishrat Fatima, inviting her to train PTV anchors and help set pronunciation standards.

Report highlights Taliban crackdown on women journalists

January 15, 2026 An in-depth report documents the Taliban's suppression of Afghan women journalists through bans, closures and gendered harassment that silence their reporting.

Journalist Shabbir Mir named CM spokesperson in Gilgit-Baltistan

January 15, 2026 Shabbir Mir, a senior journalist, has been named spokesperson to the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister, bringing media experience to a key communications role.