LAHORE: Senior journalist and anchorperson Hamid Mir presented a resolution at the Lahore Press Club calling for the withdrawal of cases registered against journalists under the Peca law, which was unanimously approved by participants at the book launch of his book “Rodad-e-Sitam”.
Hamid Mir said it was an honour for him to have his book launched at the Lahore Press Club. He paid tribute to the role of former Punjab chief minister Ghulam Haider Wyne in the establishment of Lahore Press Club.
Hamid Mir said the struggle for democracy, supremacy of Constitution, and press freedom should be carried out collectively rather than as workers of any political party. He said press freedom is linked to the freedom of parliament. He said he had been dismissed from his job several times for writing the truth but never stopped standing by it.
He said the title of his book is related to Gaza and recalled that along with the Pakistan Resolution, a resolution in support of Palestine had also been adopted. He added that everyone should play their role for the freedom of Palestine.
Speaking at the book launching ceremony, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan described Hamid Mir as a forthright and fearless journalist who has consistently practiced truth-based journalism despite serious threats to his life. He said Hamid Mir never compromised on truth under pressure and always raised a strong voice against injustice. Malik Ahmad Khan said the book powerfully reflects injustices present in society and expressed the hope that Hamid Mir would continue to stand by the truth in the future as well.
The ceremony was attended by senior journalists Suhail Warraich, Iftikhar Ahmed, President of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Kazim Khan, Geo News Lahore Bureau Chief Rais Ansari, Tahira Habib Jalib, President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari, Abdullah Malik and a large number of journalists, intellectuals and writers.
Speaking on the occasion, Tahira Habib Jalib, daughter of revolutionary poet Habib Jalib, said Hamid Mir had paid tribute to her father by dedicating his book to him. She said Habib Jalib always raised his voice against dictatorship, and Hamid Mir had upheld the same tradition by never supporting authoritarian rule. She added that the voice of truth cannot be silenced.
Senior journalist Iftikhar Ahmed said Hamid Mir writes truths that are not easily acceptable in every society. He noted that Hamid Mir studies various books before writing his columns, a practice rarely seen among journalists in the present era. He also referred to a column included in the book on Kashmir freedom leader Maqbool Bhat, highlighting the strength and depth of Hamid Mir’s writing.
Geo News Lahore Bureau Chief Rais Ansari said Hamid Mir practiced journalism with courage and bravery and always stood by the truth while remaining within ethical boundaries. He said he had not seen a journalist as fearless as Hamid Mir in his life.
Senior journalist Suhail Warraich said he could vouch for Hamid Mir’s character, adding that he never compromised on corruption or public interest.
CPNE President Kazim Khan said “Rodad-e-Sitam” is a collection of Hamid Mir’s columns in which the voice of oppressed has been highlighted effectively.
Addressing the gathering, Hamid Mir said that the launch of his book at the Lahore Press Club was a matter of great honour for him.
