ISLAMABAD: Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of renowned Indian journalist, author and rights activist Kuldip Nayar who passed away at the age of 95 in New Delhi.
Nayar was honoured with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his contribution to journalism at the eighth edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence awards.
The information minister, in a statement, said: “The deceased was a shining star of lofty journalistic traditions.”
“Nayar used the power of his pen for ending hatred and promotion of peace in the region. His services as a pro-peace journalist and activist would be remembered for a long time,” Chaudhry was quoted as saying.
The information minister also expressed sympathies with the family of the late journalist.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condoled the death of the Indian journalist and paid tribute to him as “a peace activist and a strong supporter of peace initiatives between India and Pakistan”.
In a condolence message, Bilawal said, “Nayar’s death had left a void in the peace movement in South Asia and will be mourned by all peace loving people for a long time.”
Moreover, Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over Nayar’s death and said that “with the passing away of Kuldip Nayyar, an era of journalism for peace is over”.
“He was a committed democrat, a relentless voice for peace and normalcy of relations between Pakistan and India. He has left behind a glorious legacy that all of us should uphold and celebrate,” the former Punjab chief minister said.