Mr Hameed Nizami came from a very humble background and started his career as President of Punjab Muslim Students Federation. His contribution to the political struggle and association to the freedom movement, led by Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam, was limited to student politics which played a vital role in galvanising public support.
He is famous for his contribution as an independent journalist who never compromised on principles and yet managed to run a commercially successful newspaper business which owned prime commercial property located on intersection of Mall Road and Queens Road.
He led a humble life and never mixed with corrupt elite. Today, there are claims to his legacy by his biological heirs and a brother whom he raised up. Obviously, his biological heirs have a right to lay claim to his legacy and business.
Hameed Nizami was amongst those who opposed the Daultana regime for their undemocratic acts and opposed the Anti-Qadiani movement. He was very critical of Ayub Khans martial law and opposed the corruption by his junta.
Those who lay claim to his legacy may well fall short of the high standards that he set for himself as an independent journalist, who never associated with any political party in power, other than his support for the Quaid-led Muslim League.
TAHIR HASSAN
New York, USA
