Renowned journalist and staunch advocate of press freedom, Nasir Zaidi, has been given the prestigious "Ahfazur Rahman Award for Courage and Freedom of Expression" at a ceremony held at the Karachi Arts Council.
Nasir Zaidi, who is also a former secretary general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, was honoured with the award named after the late Ahfazur Rehman, a distinguished journalist, poet, writer, and activist. Zaidi is one of the few journalists who received public flogging during the martial law regime of then dictator General Ziaul Haq just for raising voice for media rights and freedom.
While speaking at the ceremony, Zaidi underscored the challenging times facing Pakistan, underlining the imperative of creating a society free from exploitation and strengthening democratic values. He reiterated the ongoing struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law, a cause that has persisted since the inception of Pakistan.
Zaidi highlighted the enduring legacy of Ahfazur Rahman, stressing that the sacrifices of those who championed similar ideals would not be forgotten.
Expressing concern over the encroaching threats to media freedom, Zaidi called for steadfast resistance against censorship and highlighted the vital role future journalists must play in upholding the integrity of their profession.
The event was graced by notable figures, including Dr Jaffar Ahmed, who introduced Nasir Zaidi, senior journalist Mazhar Abbas, Tauseef Ahmad Khan, Shehnaz Ahad, President of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Asad Butt, Professor Masroor Khanum, and Ahfazur Rahman's wife and human rights activist Mehnaz-ur-Rehman, among others.
Zarar Khuhro shed light on the biased portrayal of Israeli atrocities in Palestine by the European media. The ceremony featured the oath-taking of students from the Department of Mass Communication at Urdu University, along with the distribution of awards to outstanding achievers.
The event served as a reminder of the enduring struggle for freedom of expression and the unwavering commitment of journalists like Zaidi to uphold the principles of democracy and justice in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2024.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ