Malik Tahir Ahmed
By Zia ul Qamar
Malik Tahir Ahmed, a senior worker for The News, in Rawalpindi / Islamabad died on 13 January, 2020 after a brief illness.
Malik Tahir Ahmed was considered among the senior most workers of The News who joined this paper at its inception. On 11 February, 1991 when The News launched its first issue, Malik Tahir was among the members of its founding team headed by the editor, Dr Maleeha Lodhi. He always had been proud of being a member of the founding team of The News.
He was a senior copy-paster at that time and used to take care of advertisements and their positions along with Mr Bashir, another senior member of the pasting section.
Malik Tahir Ahmed joined The News on October 1990 and remained its member till his death on 13 January, 2020. He was also General Secretary of the Worker Union of The News, Rawalpindi and remained at this position till his death. He also served as the president of the Union for 4 years. He spent his long r career of 30 years with honour and dignity. He had always been ready to solve the workers’ problems. Many times, he used to speak to top management about the redressal of problems within the office. He used to highlight the soft image of the management towards the workers. He remained the favorite personality of his colleagues and union members till his death. He was a kind-hearted man with the qualities to convince others. May Allah Almighty shower His blessings on him and give his family courage to bear this loss. Ameen
Mohammad Najeeb
By Shahina Maqbool
Mohammad Najeeb, former Editor-in-Charge of the Rawalpindi edition of ‘The News International,’ was a prominent senior journalist and a much-valued friend of the media community till he died of sudden cardiac arrest on January 22, 2009, at the age of 41 years.
Najeeb started his journalistic career as a sub-editor with ‘The News International’ in 1991. He was a popular figure in the newsroom and his ready wit and gentle demeanor endeared him to many.
Najeeb remained the editor of News Network International (NNI), Pakistan’s first private news agency, for four years till 2000. He had since been writing on Indo-Pak issues, politics and peace for Indo-Asian News Service. He also worked on development issues and remained associated with TheNetwork for Consumer Protection for 18 months in 2002-2004.
Throughout that career, Najeeb had mentors, starting with his schoolteacher David Wyllie, who forced him to write for the school magazine in grade 8; Habibur Rehman Sidiqui, who pushed him into a radio programme ‘Science ki Duniya;’ and D. Shah Khan at ‘The News’ who, according to Najeeb, taught him the first lesson in journalism in the following words: “Tell people what you know and do not bullshit about what you don’t know.”
Najeeb switched over from active media to media development, and firmed-up a media development organisation, trying to push a change in practices at the media ownership level on the one end of the spectrum, and capacity-building of working journalists on the other. He worked long hours, trying to introduce reform at the entry, policy and institutional levels. He would individually mobilize media persons and try to coax seniors to train the younger lot. what so many others merely say.
Najeeb is survived by his wife and three sons.
Syed Nadeem Hussain
By Shahina Maqbool
One of the most valued members of the pioneering team of The News, Syed Nadeem Hussain died of cardiac arrest in Toronto, Canada, on June 4, 2007.
Nadeem started his career with The News in 1991 and was part of the team that launched the publication. Within a year of joining the newspaper, the then-editor Dr Maleeha Lodhi promoted him first as shift in-charge and later as night editor because of his sharp news sense.
The urge to break free from the stressful, deadline-oriented routine compelled Nadeem to join another publication as a reporter three years later. His encyclopedic knowledge and grace of expression made him prominent within a couple of years as he wrote investigative news related to politics and development issues.
As a political correspondent, Nadeem paid attention to the development of democratic institutions in Pakistan - especially the political parties. Once during the 1993 election campaign, he said if the political parties failed to democratise themselves, there is every possibility of the country facing another long haul of military dictatorship.
Nadeem was a popular figure in the newsroom. He endeared himself to colleagues and friends for his affable disposition and sense of humour, among several other qualities of head and heart.
Rana Muhammad Khalid
Rana Muhammad Khalid, a senior journalist and the editor of Jang Online, passed away following a brief illness. Rana Muhammad Khalid, who stepped into journalism about 20 years ago, was an active journalist and an untiring worker of the movement for journalists’ rights. He leaves behind a widow, a son, and two daughters. At the time of his death he was working as Editor of the online edition of The News.
Khalid Akhtar
By Syed Qamar Abbas
Veteran journalist Khalid Akhtar, Editor Coordination and Production of The News, breathed his last at the PIMS hospital, Islamabad, on 23rd September, 2005. Khalid Akhtar has worked for The New Times (1973-1978), The Muslim (1978-1998). His last held position in The Muslim was Executive Editor. He joined Pakistan Observer in 1998 as Editor and remained there till 2001. He joined The News on April 11, 2001 as Editor Co-ordination and Production and held the same position till his death.
Khalid Akhtar was a man of multiple qualities both as a human being and as a journalist. He was kind, generous and a thorough gentleman.
During the 21-year association with the seasoned journalist, this scribe always found him helpful on personal matters. Similar is the experience of his other colleagues and friends. Khalid Akhtar had a lot of friends because of his receptive nature. He felt deeply for the poor in the society. He was also pained whenever he came to know about any incident of cruelty, sectarianism or terrorism in the country in particular and around the world in general. Khalid Akhtar represented the rare, diminishing class of senior journalists who believed in hard work, honesty and professionalism. He was very much accommodative and always preferred to solve problems of others. He, however, talked little about his own problems and sufferings.
He was a teacher for many journalists, who are at present contributing to the profession. Akhter possessed exceptional writing skills. In The Muslim he used to write a weekly column, Spectrum, which was widely read. He also wrote many comments in The News. Khalid Akhtar often wrote commentaries for Radio Pakistan. He had written a book on Afghanistan that remains unpublished.
Haroon Khan
Senior Manager Marketing and Sales,
Peshawar Bureau
Haroon Khan served as Senior Manager Marketing and Sales for The News/Jang Peshawar Bureau (KP), and had been associated with the group since 1995. Over the years, he became known not only for his professional competence but also for his warmth, energy and sheer commitment to his work.
Extremely cooperative, helpful and jovial, Haroon brought a rare positivity to the workplace. In the words of Sarmad Ali, Group Managing Director, Jang Group, “he had rarely seen someone as hardworking and dedicated as Haroon.”
Among colleagues in the editorial department, Haroon is remembered as one of the most vibrant personalities in the marketing team — someone whose presence made the office environment both productive and pleasant.
He possessed a deep understanding marketing and sales, but what truly distinguished him was his insight into clients’ concerns. Whether dealing with government or commercial advertisers, he understood their issues and would resolve them promptly ensuring that clients felt heard and valued.
It was this credibility and rapport that encouraged him to initiate the first-ever Education Expo in Peshawar — a pioneering effort for the region. Through his tireless efforts, the expo not only launched successfully but has continued for the past 15 years as a regular event. Much of its sustained success is credited to his vision and perseverance.
Haroon also endured moments of profound personal anxiety. During the tragic Army Public School incident in Peshawar, his two sons were at school, leaving him deeply distressed until he learned they were safe.
Tragically, Haroon Khan lost his life on Jan 23, 2025, in a car accident while driving home from the office. His untimely passing was a great loss to the organization and to all who knew him.
Abdul Qayum Mughal
Associate Manager Marketing,
Islamabad/Rawalpindi
Abdul Qayum Mughal joined Jang Media Group in 1979 and served as Associate Manager Marketing in Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Over the course of nearly four decades, until his retirement in 2019, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the organisation, serving with honesty, integrity and unwavering loyalty.
His dedication to work was exemplary. In the Marketing Department, he was known for his disciplined approach, reliability and quiet efficiency. Colleagues remember him as a helpful and supportive team member, always willing to assist others and guide younger staff with patience and sincerity. Humble at heart, he carried out his responsibilities without seeking recognition, allowing his work to speak for itself.
Even after retirement, he remained deeply connected to the institution he had served for so long. His passing in August 2021 was a profound loss to those who had worked alongside him. He will be remembered not only for his professionalism but also for his decency, humility and lifelong loyalty to the organisation.
