LAHORE: (Tuesday, July 09, 2013): Senior journalist and editor-in-chief of Nawa-i-Waqt Group Mr Majid Nizami has said that late Mr Shabbir Hussain Shah was honest, pious and immaculate journalist and thinker who has set a perfect precedent for the upcoming journalists. He was telephonically addressing a ceremony organized in the memory of father of PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran and veteran journalist late Syed Shabbir Hussain Shah at Al-Raazi Hall here on Tuesday. Senior journalist Mujeeub-ur-Rehman Shami, PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran, late Mr Shah’s brother Syed Ghulam Sarwar, Dr Mujahid Mansoori, Chaudhry Muhammad Akram, Atta-ur-Rehman, Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain, Dr Nasim Riaz Butt, Mian Masood Aslam, Bushra Rehman, Sofia Baidar, Dr Saeed Elahi, Acting President PUASA Dr Faheem Aftab, Secretary Javed Sami, Dr Shaukat Ali, Prof Dr Mansoor Sarwar, Isar Rana, senior faculty members and a large number of people from various walks of life were present on the occasion.

Mr Nizami said that Mr Shah and he had a common value that Mr Shah also wanted the Muslims to be ready for the war. He said that Mr Shah played important role as journalist in Afghan Jihad and Kashmir issue. He said that Mr Shah did political reporting in a professional manner and also remained in contact with late Hameed Nizami. He said that Dr Mujahid Kamran was a son of a brave journalist. Senior journalist Majeeb-ur-Rehman Shami said that Mr Shah was aware of secrets of history, future and politics and his observations and experiences were exceptional. He said that Mr Shah always spoke truth without any fear or favour. He said that he used to meet Mr Shah in Islamabad and Lahore to benefit from his thoughts. He said that Mr Shah enjoyed good relations with General Ayub Khan, Mr Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and General Zia-ul-Haq but later, because of his independent way of thinking, his good relations with Mr Bhutto got estranged and Mr Shah had to face problems. He said that Mr Shah had the personality that could influence happenings through his writings and thoughts. He said that Mr Shah understood that the power of the nations lies in warfare, civilization and science. He said that Mr Shah always stressed the need of science education for children and that’s why he advised Dr Mujahid Kamran to adopt field of science. He said that Mr Shah also played role to introduce Allama Mashriqi. He said that his books must be studied for comprehension of Pakistan’s politics and history. He said that he was witness to the fact that Mr Shah never ever earned a rupee through unfair means.

Dr Mujahid Mansoori said that fortunately he got the chance to work with Mr Shah as reporter and know him closely. He said that there were big names on huge salaries in National Press Trust but Mr Shah was the most devoted professional among all and performed his duties with dedication, zeal and integrity in English language daily Pakistan Times. He said that Mr Shah was a nationalist and his analysis on situations was the best. He said that his journalism was free of personal interests. He said that policy makers also sought Mr Shah’s advice on Afghan and Kashmir affairs. He said that his predictions regarding Kashmir also proved true. Mr Shah’s younger brother Syed Ghulam Sarwar said that his brother was very intelligent. He said that after his graduation, he joined various government departments and was appointed excise inspector but he was not satisfied with his job. He said that later he joined journalism, a profession which was according to his frame of mind and temperament. He said that being elder brother, Mr Shah guided him in various spheres of life. He said that Dr Mujahid Kamran was his living picture on earth. Senior Journalist Atta-ur-Rehman said that Mr Shah’s books were really very inspiring and he didn’t practised journalism as a tool of public relations. Senior journalist Ghulam Hussain said that Mr Shah was not egotistical like traditional journalists and was a true Muslim and Pakistani by heart. Renowned columnist Bushra Rehman said that Mr Shah was a shining star in the skies of journalism and humanity and his son was also following his footsteps. Renowned columnist Sofia Baidar said that she was inspired from the writings of Mr Shah and his best product was his son Dr Mujahid Kamran who had taken Punjab University to the new heights in the ranking of world universities. Dr Saeed Elahi said that Mr Shah’ knowledge and political wisdom were very broad and he was a noble and humble man. Mian Masood Aslam said that Mr Shah was a Mujahid and he found him always worrying for the Muslims and Pakistan. Dr Naseem Riaz Butt said that nobody could pressurize Mr Shah and his pen was very powerful. He said that Mr Bhutto threatened him to transfer him to Quetta but he could not mold him in his favour. Some excerpts from the column of senior journalist Mr Abdul Qadir Hassan were also read on the occasion. Dr Mujahid Kamran said that his father was aware of the real concept of Islam and wanted to see the Muslims knowledgeable and powerful. He said that Mr Shah used to write brief and well-thought sentences with flow. Dr Faheem Aftab thanked the guests and said that through the courtesy of the ceremony, he like many others had been able to learn about the personality of Mr Shah which was a role model for all of us. Later, Dr Zahoor Ahmed Azhar offered prayer for the rest of departed soul.