Friends pay tributes to late Ahmed Hassan Alvi
RAWALPINDI, May 7: Colleagues, friends and family members paid rich tributes to deceased veteran journalist Ahmed Hassan Alvi during a condolence reference held at Rawalpindi Press Club on Monday.
The speakers recalled the happy memories of their association with the late journalist and his professional struggle and commitment during the difficult times in the political history of Pakistan. They termed Mr Alvi an upright, selfless, dedicated and fearless journalist.
They all stressed that the family of Mr Alvi must not be left helpless by the journalists community for whose welfare Mr Alvi had fought all his life.
His long time colleague and friend Raja Asghar said Mr Alvi was a committed and steadfast person. He lost his job several times fighting for the rights of journalists and press freedom but did not compromise on principles.
Nor did he seek any favours from the rulers despite being very close to the Bhutto family when he worked with the PPP daily Musawat but did not get any personal advantages. In person he was very gentle, humane and helpful towards his comrades, Mr Raja added.
Former chairman of Pakistan Ordnance Factories and Pakistan Steel Mill Lt Gen (retired) Abdul Qayyum hailed the services of Mr Alvi and called him a realistic and impartial journalist. The media, the fourth pillar of the state, needed more journalists like Mr Alvi today to give voice to the have-nots.
Resident Editor Dawn Zaffar Abbas speaking on the occasion said the vacuum created by the absence of Mr Alvi could not be filled for a long time. He urged on the journalist community to do something for the welfare of his family.
Sanaullah Akhtar, a retired government media manager, said late Mr Alvi was a great trade unionist and always worked for the betterment of his community and former chairman of Senate Sardar Wazir Ahmed Jogezai remembered Mr Alvi for his great qualities of head and heart.
PPP leaders Agha Riazul Islam and Sardar Saleem recalled the unflinching struggle of their journalist friend against the dictatorship of Gen Ziaul Haq. They said the late journalist neither gave up nor gave in. He always encouraged people to fight on for their rights.
Mr Alvi’s children brought the audience to tears by narrating the love and care they received from their father. They swore to live by the principles of their father. His nephew said Mr Alvi was always with the whole family in difficult times and often was more than a father to him.
The condolence meeting was presided over by veteran journalist Minhaj Barna.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/8/2007
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