CPNE’s tributes to pioneer of press freedom
KARACHI (March 14 2007): The President of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Syed Faseih Iqbal and Secretary General Wamiq A Zuberi have in a joint statement said that the sad demise of veteran editor and journalist Ahmed Ali Khan is a national loss and in his death.
The editors community has lost a pioneer in the field of objective journalism and a great champion of freedom of the press in Pakistan. The CPNE President and the Secretary General said that late Ahmed Ali Khan had maintained in his illustrious career as an editor and journalist values of press freedom and objective journalism in the service of democratic practices in Pakistan.
Ahmed Ali Khan during his career in journalism carved out for himself a unique place as a completely devoted professional keen on upholding the code of ethics of the CPNE and in defending all member editors of the CPNE against all forms of executive excess and abuse.
He was also responsible for bringing about unity in the ranks of the newspaper editors when he was unanimously elected as President of the CPNE on the merger of the NECP in the CPNE and the emergence of a united CPNE in the year 1996-97 thus helping in ending the split in the ranks of newspaper editors at that critical time in the history of the struggle for press freedom in Pakistan.
Ahmed Ali Khan, the CPNE president and secretary general said, also contributed to the dialogue with the Government on the various amendments in the different press laws in the country while he served as the President of the CPNE. He was always a fearless voice in the defence of press freedom and never faltered in opposing every draconian measure taken by the executive in Pakistan to put pressure on the press. His role as a newspaper editor became an example for other editors in the country to emulate. His pioneering contribution in the historical struggle of the print media and the CPNE for press freedom will always be remembered by one and all in Pakistan.
The CPNE office-bearers extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that may Allah in His mercy grant the late Ahmed Ali Khan a place in paradise. They said that the CPNE will be holding a special reference to pay homage to the departed editor and the venue and timing will be announced very soon.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:3/14/2007
” 
” 
” 
” 
