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.

Back

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

Farooq Mazhar

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 (1918-1993)

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

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 Hasan (1935-2009)

Khalid Hasan was a senior Pakistani journalist and writer. He was born in Srinagar, Kashmir. He was the brother in law of the first elected president of Azad Jammu & Kashmir K H Khurshid, private secretary

Saleem Asmi

Beginning his journalistic career in 1959, Saleem Asmi joined The Times of Karachi as a sub-editor. Like most journalists from his era, he became part of The Pakistan Times, becoming the newspaper's city editor.

Zafaryab Ahmad (1953-2006)

Zafaryab Ahmad (1953-2006) was a journalist who made a name for himself as a trade unionist and a political activist. He worked in the dailies Dawn and the Frontier Post and the weekly Viewpoint.

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.

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.