Veteran journalist and professor Dr. Mehdi Hasan passes away

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 23 February 2022

Dr. Mehdi Hasan, an esteemed journalist and professor, has died at 85 years old. His influence spanned over half a century in journalism and academia.

Summary

LAHORE—Veteran journalist and professor of mass communication Dr. Mehdi Hasan passed away on Wednesday after a protracted illness.

Dr. Hasan, 85, was a Pakistani left-wing journalist, media historian, dean of journalism and mass communication at the Beaconhouse National University, and a professor of mass communication at the Punjab University. His teaching career spanned over 50 years.

He served as Pakistan Press International (PPI) sub-editor and reporter between 1961-67. He remained elected office-bearer of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) five times.

He was also a news commentator and analyst for Pakistani television since 1964 and for Radio Pakistan since 1962.

National and international mass media outlets, including Voice of America, BBC News, Deutsche Welle, and others, regularly sought his opinion on political developments in Pakistan. At the same time, he contributed articles in all major newspapers of Pakistan.

Photography was Dr. Hasan’s hobby and passion which took him to the front line of the Lahore war zone in 1965, although he was not a professional photographer.

For his services to journalism in Pakistan, he was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the president of Pakistan in 2012.

He also served as chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).

KEY POINTS:

• Dr. Mehdi Hasan passed away after a prolonged illness at the age of 85.
• He was a significant figure in journalism and mass communication education in Pakistan.
• Dr. Hasan contributed to several national and international media outlets.
• He received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz award for his contributions to journalism.
• His teaching career lasted over 50 years at major Pakistani universities.