PFUJ lauds services of its former president Safdar Ali Qureshi
ISLAMABAD, March 6:- The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the sudden demise of Safdar Ali Qureshi, former President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). Safdar Qureshi died of cardiac arrest on Thursday evening. He was 83 and leaves behind five brothers and four sisters to mourn his death.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, the PFUJ paid rich tributes to late Sadar Ali, and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the members of the bereaved family. Safdar Qureshi had once been a cult figure in national media. Tall, handsome and a towering figure he remained in the limelight distinguishing himself as an impeccable journalist who kept himself aloof of various groupings or political affiliations. He was educated at the Government College Lahore and was associated with the Associated Press of Pakistan, the official news agency as an intern at Peshawar. APP was then in the private sector and was beig run by its founder, Malik Tajuddin, as its Managing Trustee.
He stayed in Karachi for a long time, remaining a dominant figure who stood out a as a voice of reason and independence everywhere.
Owing to his qualities, he twice became an undisputed President of the PFUJ and remained actively involved in the Karachi Press Club.
During his career, he travelled widely on various official assignments, political, diplomatic and even sports, covering the first ever cricket tour of Pakistan to West Indies in which Hafeez Kardar took the team to West Indies and subsequently on a short visit to USA.
His close associates, Khalid Butt, said: "I know he spurned many offers to serve in various official or non-official capacities and gracefully retired to spend his time in the joyful company of old colleagues and friends becoming something like a recluse." Another friend of late Quershi - Afzal Khan said : "a big name of Pakistani journalism, Safdar Qureshi, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 83, may have been the first casualty of the ICC World Cup 2011 as he could not take the tension of Pakistan in a tight corner, facing possible defeat at the hands of minnows Canada. According to his lifelong friend PML-N leader Sartaj Aziz, Safdar, a cricketer and cricket correspondent for years, was watching the Pak-Canada match when Pakistan was in trouble. He already had heart problems and the match tension was too much for him. He took some tea and snacks but shortly after the match his heart stopped beating. "Qureshi was among the leading luminaries of the profession in the 1950s and 60s. Steeped in the traditional high moral values, professional competence and objectivity of that golden era of Pakistani journalism". " Safdar had a distinguished professional career as diplomatic, political and sports correspondent. He was perhaps the first foreign journalist to be given exclusive interview by the great Chinese premier Chou En Lai in early 50s." Afzal Khan added.
"Safdar Ali Qureshim will always remain in our thoughts, and in prayers as a symbol of professional decent human being and a role-model for all aspiring journalists."
He was also office-bearer of Afro-Asian Journalist Association, which was sponsored by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Chou-en-Lai of China and Tanku Abdul Rehman of Malaysia. Safdar Qureshi played a pivotal role in furthering the cause of Asian journalists. He played a very active role in securing the Wage Board Award for journalists, the freedom of the Press and rights of the journalists.
|
Sunday, March 6, 2011
PFUJ lauds services of its former president Safdar Ali Qureshi
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment