Yawar Hayat (1943-2016)
Born on October 18, 1943, Yawar Hayat is celebrated as one of the chief architects of Pakistan Television (PTV). The son of Brigadier Azmat Hayat Khan, he was the grandson of Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan and nephew of renowned film director Anwar Kamal Pasha. A graduate of Aitchison College, Yawar Hayat began his career with PTV in 1965 as a producer-director. His play "Jhok Siyaal" became a nationwide hit, setting the stage for his illustrious career.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he produced many acclaimed PTV plays, including "Samundar," "Nasheman," "Dehleez," "Sahil," and "Gumshuda." His other notable works included "Farar," "Goonj," "Qila Kahani," "Lamp Post," "Jheel," "Jazeera," "Parwaz," "Zanjeer," and "Hisaab." Writer Mustansar Hussain Tarar remarked, "With the departure of Yawar Hayat, a creative era of production and direction has come to an end. He was an excellent conversationalist and had a profound influence on anyone who met him."
In 1998, Yawar Hayat received the award for Best PTV Producer. After a long and distinguished career, he retired from PTV in 2004. Yawar Hayat passed away in November 2016, leaving a legacy of excellence in television production and direction.
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
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
Altaf Gauhar (1923-2000)
Altaf Gauhar was a man of extraordinary versatility, charm and intelligence. He was born in Gujranwala and received his education from the Government College, Lahore, after which he joined All-India Radio
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.
Zakir Hussain Syed (1939-2013)
Zakir Hussain Syed, affectionately called Zak, was an internationally renowned sports administrator, broadcaster and journalist. Born in the town of Sialkot on November 1, 1939, Zakir had his initial schooling at Rawalpindi's Denny's High School.
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
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
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
Newsroom

Asia-Pacific press freedom falls as legal pressure deepens
April 30, 2026 RSF warns Asia-Pacific press freedom is deteriorating; over half the region is classed difficult or worse and Pakistan faces sustained legal and regulatory pressure on its media.

Global press freedom hits historic low, RSF reports
April 30, 2026 Reporters Without Borders says global press freedom is at its lowest in 25 years, with over half of countries now rated 'difficult' or 'very serious'.

Zambia cancels RightsCon 2026 days before start
April 30, 2026 Zambia cancelled RightsCon 2026 days before the Lusaka event, citing values and diplomatic protocols, prompting global concern among rights groups.

Dawn CEO flags new era of media pressure in Pakistan
April 30, 2026 Dawn CEO Hameed Haroon warns that press freedom in Pakistan has shifted from visible censorship to diffuse economic and regulatory pressures limiting journalism.

Journalists at war with themselves: A crisis no one will win
April 30, 2026 Pakistan's journalists are divided after an Islamabad event sparked clashes over press club authority, union rivalries and a wave of hostile social media exchanges.

