Nawa-i-Waqt editor and head Majid Nizami passes away

LAHORE-

Mr Majid Nizami, editor and head of Nawa-i-Waqt Group of publications, breathed his last early on Saturday.

He was the younger brother of veteran journalist and founder of Nawa-i-Waqt newspaper, Mr Hameed Nizami, and paternal uncle of Mr Arif Nizami, the founding editor of English daily The Nation and currently the editor of English daily Pakistan Today.

Hameed Nizami (late) was the founding president of Muslim Students Federation, the student wing of the Muslim League. Nawa-i-Waqt was established on the express instructions of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Hameed Nizami died very young in 1962 at the age of 47, after which Mr Majid Nizami assumed the editorship of Nawa-i-Waqt, as his nephews were very young at that time.

Mr Majid Nizami was born on April 3, 1928 in Sangla Hill, Sheikhupura. His elementary education was carried out at the Sangla Hill Government High School. Upon graduation from the Government College Lahore in 1952, he enrolled at University of the Punjab where he read for an MA degree in Political Science. He spent a brief stint at Islamia College Lahore as well.

Mr Majid Nizami as editor was renowned for his independent and fearless views. Anti-India and pro Kashmir policies were his hallmark. He was also the founder of the Nazaria e Pakistan trust and Aiwan e Karkunaan e Pakistan.

Mr Majid Nizami remained the president of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE), professional bodies of publishers and editors, over the years.

His services to the country were recognised by various governments, and he was bestowed with the Sitara-i-Pakistan, Sitara-i-Imtiaz and the single greatest honour that can be awarded, the Nishan-i-Imtiaz.

Mr Majid Nizami is mourned by his foster daughter Rameeza Nizami and family nephews, including Mr Shoaib Nizami, Mr Arif Nizami, Mr Tahir Nizami and niece Mrs Sarah Nizami.