LAHORE: (Wednesday, May 14, 2014): Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said that late Agha Shorish Kashmiri was a journalist with ideology who raised voice against cruel rulers and traitors and his practice of journalism is like a beacon for today’s journalists. He was addressing the book launching ceremony of “Shorish Kashmiri Bahasiat Sahafi” by Regional Director Associated Press of Pakistan Dr Waqar Chaudhry at Al Raazi Hall here on Wednesday. PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran, Chief Reporter The Daily Jang Maqsood Butt, Executive Editor The Daily Dunya Salman Ghani, Dr Waqar Chaudhry, Incharge Director Institute of Communication Studies Dr Noshina Salim, Chief Librarian Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif, Dr Haroon Usmani, Hafeez ulllah Niazi, Mian Muhammad Saeed, Son of Shorish Kashmiri Agha Masood Shorish, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, the Governor said Mr Shorish’s weekly “Chittan” was a practical example of fearless and independent journalism. He said that Mr Shorish was jailed but such punishments could not defeat his will power and he continued with his missionary journalism. He said that Maulana Zafar Ali Khan was reflected in the writings of Mr Shorish while Mr Atta ullah Shah Bukhari was reflected in his speech. He said that the history remembered only those people who served the mankind and did not remember the people who made properties. He lauded Dr Waqar Chaudhry for writing excellent book on the life and services of Agha Shorish Kashmiri. PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran said that Agha Shorish Kashmiri was daring, patriotic and ideological journalist and poet and the best speaker of the age. He said that the journalists facing specific problems today must keep in view the character of Mr Shorish. He said that Mr Shorish faced great difficulties but he did not change his ideology and work and fought against cruelty. He advised the students of Communication Studies to read the book and adopt reading habits. Senior Journalist Maqsood Butt said that it was our dilemma that our young generation was not aware of our heroes while our history taught us lesson. He said that Maulana Shaukat Ali Khan, Zafar Ali Khan, Shorish Kashmiri were members of the same tribe. He said that today’s politics was just a business and he was aware of those who were claiming to be democrats. He called upon the need to bring all powerful segments of society to accountability. He said that people must be aware of truth and Mr Shorish made people aware of the truth. Senior journalist Salman Ghani said that keeping in view the problems Pakistani journalism was facing nowadays, there was need to discuss missionary journalism of Mr Shorish. He said that weekly “Chittan” was really a rock and Mr Shorish did not use journalism for personal gains. He said that Pakistani media must be a patriotic media. He said that the strengthening of journalism was conditioned with strengthening of Pakistan and democracy in Pakistan. He said that journalism was not limited to “Anchor-cracy” and thousands of reporters, editors were the true face of journalism. Later, Mian Saeed announced to distribute two thousand copies of the book among PU teachers, students of communication studies and politicians. Dr Waqar Chaudhry thanked the guests for their participation.