LAHORE: (Thursday, January 16, 2014): Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said that the journalistic efforts and services of Maulana Zafar Ali Khan for independence of country and the nation were unmatched and unforgettable. He was addressing the 141st birthday ceremony of Father of Journalism Maulana Zafar Ali Khan organized by PU Institute of Communication Studies and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan Trust (MZAKT) at Hameed Nizami Hall.

Editor Inchief of Nawai Waqt Majeed Nizami presided over the ceremony while Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Maulana’s grandson Masood Ali Khan, renowned journalist Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami, Chairman MZAKT Khalid Mahmood, Sajjad Mir, Hafeez ullah Niazi, Asif Bhali, Dr Fozia Siddiqui, Amna Masood Janjua, renowned journalists, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said that Zamindar was not a newspaper only but a mission. He said that the only way to keep his teachings alive was to promote purposive and meaningful journalism. He said that Mr Majeed Nizami and Muheeb ur Rehman Shami were glowing the candle which was left by Maulana. Speaking on the issue of Dr Afia Siddiqui, the governor said that he organized a conference for the release of Dr Afia Siddiqui in House of Commons in the United Kingdom despite facing strong opposition. Renowned journalist Majeed Nizami said Punjab gave birth to two poets, Allama Iqbal and Zafar Ali Khan. He said that Iqbal gave idea of Pakistan and compelled Quaid-e-Azam to return but Maulana actively participated in all the movements. He said his words were not enough to pay tribute to such a legendary personality. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami said that Zafar Ali Khan created a ray of hope among the Muslims. He said that it was the responsibility of journalists to remove doubts, which Maulana did and make the people believe in liberty. He said that we needed to celebrate his anniversary with the same thoughts and spread the message of hope, belief and spirit of hard work for the welfare of country. Maulana’s Grandson Masood Ali Khan, citing a speech of Mr Majid Nizami, said that if Pakistan was taken as a triangle, then Iqbal, Quaid and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan were its corners.

Fauzia Sidddiqui said her grandfather left the job of Attorney of India to work with Maulana Zafar Ali Khan for independence. Hafeez ullah Niazi said that Maulana still seemed to be present among us. Paying tribute to Maulana, Mr Khalid Mehmood said Maulana’s journalism was more of a mission. He said that there was a need to remember the services of such legendary personalities in order to prosper. Later, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Dr Mujahid Kamran and other cut the cake of 141st birthday of Maulana Zafar Ali Khan and distributing various prizes of distinction awarded by MZAKT for the year 2013.