Hameed Nizami was one of the best journalists ever produced by Pakistan and has an immortal place in the history of Pakistani journalism.
He played an important role in the Pakistan movement and Mohammad Ali Jinnah highly appreciated his efforts. Facing the Hindu press bravely by founding the Nawa-e-Waqt newspaper, he played a pivotal role in defining and representing the sentiments of the Muslims of the sub-continent.
These views were expressed by the speakers on at a function arranged on the 50th death anniversary of Hameed Nizami on saturday. Hameed Nizami Memorial Society and Awan-e-Iqbal jointly arranged the programme.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain presided over the function and Federal Minister Samina Khalid Ghurki was the chief guest. Famous writers, anchors, and columnists like Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami, Hamid Mir, Sajad Mir, Orya Maqbool Jan, Jahangir Badar and Allama Iqbal’s grandson Waleed Iqbal spoke on the occasion. A large number of students, political workers and the general public attended the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Editor Pakistan Today Arif Nizami said that now press enjoys a lot of freedom but during the time of Hameed Nizami, the press was not as free as it is today.
Hameed Nizami sacrificed his life while fighting against the martial law of Ayub Khan, he said. “It is unfortunate that the newspaper founded by Hameed Nizami is hurling negative propaganda against me,” Arif Nizami said.
Shujaat appreciated the efforts rendered by Hameed Nizami for Pakistan and said that journalism is incomplete without mentioning him. “Hameed Nizami was a journalist par excellence and waged a struggle for the cause of freedom of expression,” Shujaat said.
While giving a solution of the Balochistan issue, he said that President Asif Zardari should travel abroad to meet the Baloch leaders. He said that Mushahid Hussain’s report on Balochistan should be followed, as in this way law and order of that province could be restored. Orya Maqbool Jan said that Hameed Nizami was a torchbearer of truth and if he would have been alive today, he would have given the right solution to the Balochistan issue. He said that media should play its role in solving the Baloch dilemma.
Lahore Press Club President Sarmad Bashir read the speech of Nazir Naji, who could not come due to ill health.
In his speech, Naji said that we can tackle the menace of terrorism by following the ideology of Hameed Nizami, who actively fought against the aggression of the dictators.
Sajjad Mir said that Hameed Nizami was the true spokesman of Muslim League and it was the reason why he opposed Liaquat Ali Khan. “Nizami was inspired by Quaid-e-Azam and never compromised on expressing the truth,” he said.
Waleed Iqbal said that Quaid-e-Azam lauded the efforts of Hameed Nizami. While quoting the example of Saleem Shehzad, he said that now it is the duty of politicians to protect the journalists for writing the truth.
Hamid Mir said that if Hameed Nizami had not fought against dictators then there would have been no democracy in Pakistan. He said that Nizami participated in the struggle for Pakistan through journalism and created awareness amongst the masses. He said that Nawab Akbar Bugti voted in favour of Pakistan but he was killed. He said that now media is being barred for highlighting the Balochistan issue but we will not accept it. Mir said that some forces are conspiring against media and we will fight against them. Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami said that Hameed Nizami was son of an ordinary person but he made his name through hard work. “Nizami actively participated in the Pakistan movement and Quaid-e-Azam wanted to make him member of the Working Committee of Muslim League but he (Nizami) preferred journalism,” he said, adding it is a dilemma that Pakistan was created in the name of democracy but dictators ran it. “The army could not take Kashmir but it conquered its own country many times,” Shami said, adding we have to overcome every problem amicably through talks. He urged the media to not resort to cheap publicity stunts only to gain attention. “Hameed Nizami never supported vulgarity for getting public attention rather he was the pioneer of morality in journalism,” he added. Senator Jahangir Badar said that only a few journalists achieved such a landmark, which Hameed Nizami achieved. “Hameed Nizami willingly endured hardships inflicted on him by detractors of the mission of the Quaid. Yet he continued to propagate, in his daily writings, the logic and the purpose underlying the creation of a separate state for the Muslims of the sub-continent,” Badr added.
Samina Khalid Ghurki said that Hameed Nizami remained very close to Quaid-e-Azam. She said that Nizami bravely faced the Hindu press at that time and rightly advocated the voices of Muslims of the sub-continent. She said that the principles of Nizami are a beacon of light for the journalists and our society.
I have faint recollection of early 60's when my school, Junior Model School at Lower Mall Lahore, finished early. I am not sure why, was it Friday or it just finished early.
I was picked up from the school by a gentleman from my father's office who was taking me home. Temple Road (later named Hameed Nizami Road) was packed with people. There was hardly any space to pass through. It was then that I found out that Nizami Sahib had passed away.
My late father always held Nizami Sahib in great reverence and fondly talked about his massive contribution towards the creation of Pakistan.
May Allah give him the highest darjaat in Jannah. Ameen
UK 25th Feb 2012
everybody of Pakistan as Pakistani and a true person must join Hameed Nizami Trust Pakistan under the chairmanship of Arif Nizami.
Hameed Nizami belonged to an era when ethics in journalism had a more moral weightage than the lure of advertisements. He struggled to ensure that the paper published under his name was independent and not become a tool in the hands of vested interests, traders and those who abused their political offices or violated laws.
Late Hameed Nizami passed away at a prime age. He was only 45- 46 years old. Every year there is a meeting to remember Late Mr Nizami but this remembrance will not be complete without the mention of Mrs Nizami. She not only lost her husband at a young age, she also had to bring up very young children, which she did with due diligence and devotion. She was a mother as well as a father to her children.
Would PAKISTAN TODAY consider creating an endowment in the name of both Mr & Mrs Nizami to support needy students for higher education!!
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