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 from 1978 to 1998 and later became Editor of Pakistan Observer in 1998 and served the newspaper for three years.

He joined The News as Editor Production and Coordination in April 2001 and worked on this position until his death.

Akhtar was admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on September 15, 2005 because of cardiac arrest. He was in coma for one week and passed away on September 22.

He was a hard working professional and is remembered by his colleagues as a very friendly and jolly person. His younger colleagues looked up to him for guidance.

Akhtar was born in Kangar, East Punjab in 1935 and migrated to Rawalpindi along with his family after the 1947 partition.

Source: Dawn/The News

Back

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

Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman (1927-1992)

Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman was the Founder and Editor of the Jang Group of Newspapers.. A self-made newspaper magnate he ranks among the most successful newspaper entrepreneurs in Asia.

Hameed Nizami (1915-1962)

Hameed Nizami was an eminent journalist. He was the founder of the Urdu newspaper Nawa-i-Waqt, and played an important role in the Pakistan Movement. He was born on October 3, 1915 at Sangla Hill

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

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

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.

Yusuf Lodhi (Vai Ell) (1938-1996)

Yusuf Lodhi, an accidental but acerbic cartoonist, who introduced a new form of political caricature in Pakistan, joined the world of journalism in 1969 as assistant editor of Peshawar Times.

Newsroom

Pakistan’s ad ban on Dawn sparks media freedom concerns

December 14, 2025 Dawn Media Group says Pakistan has imposed an unannounced ban on government advertising, drawing condemnation from media bodies over press freedom and independent journalism.

Belarus journalist Maryna Zolatava freed after four years

December 14, 2025 Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava was released after spending more than four years in detention, along with 123 other political prisoners, highlighting the ongoing struggles for press freedom under Lukashenko.

Tunisia protests revive press freedom concerns

December 14, 2025 Protests in Tunisia on December 13 spotlight jailed journalists and politicians, renewing international concerns over legal and administrative pressure on independent media.

PFUJ raises alarm over pressure on Dawn Media Group

December 14, 2025 Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists condemns the advertising ban on Dawn Media Group, warning that it threatens press freedom and calls on the government to restore ads immediately.

Japan anti-espionage law plan raises media freedom fears

December 14, 2025 Japan plans fast-track anti-espionage and secrecy laws, prompting warnings from legal experts and press advocates that broad rules could chill journalism and weaken source protection.