Malik was well connected at International level, He introduced and defended Dr A Q Khan actively: Mujeeb Shami
My father was more concerned about Pakistan and not his health during illness: Faisal Zahid Malik
Amraiz Khan Lahore
Speakers paid rich tributes to late Zahid Malik (SI), founder Chief Editor of daily Pakistan Observer at Lahore Press Club (LPC). They were of the view that Zahid Malik possessed multi-dimensional personality since he was seasoned journalist, author of different books, a human rights activist, a great patriotic Pakistani and a religious scholar as well.
The ceremony was held under the aegis of Lahore Press Club management to pay tributes to the journalistic and other services of late Zahid Malik. Current Editor in Chief ‘Pakistan Observer’ Mr. Faisal Zahid Malik was Chief Guest while renowned analyst and senior journalist Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami presided over the ceremony. Among the speakers were acting president LPC, Afzaal Talib, President Punjab Press Gallery Committee, KhawjaNaseer Ahmed, Secretary General, Punjab Union of Journalist (PUJ), Qamaruz Zaman Bhatti, President Photo journalists Association, Syed Prevaiz Altaf, Former Senior Vice President LPC, Amjad Usmani. Apart from that, family members of late Zahid Malik were also present to pay homage to the deceased. Speaking on the occasion Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami said that he had spent memorable time with Zahid Malik who was a great public servant then after retirement joined the field of Journalism.
First he published weekly Hurmat and then after fall of Dhaka he started daily Pakistan Observer since this paper was earlier being published from Dhaka and hameedul Haq Ch. was its owner and after fall of Dhaka Mr. Ch renamed it as Bangladesh Observer there. We used to call him a Majid Nizami of Islamabad since Majid Nizami had established Nazria Pakistan Trust (NPT) in Lahore while Zahid Malik had formed Nazria Pakistan Council (NPCC) in Islamabad. Mr. Shami was of the view that Zahid Malik played a great role in introducing and defending Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.
He always kept a vigilant eye of political affairs of the country and his contacts with foreign rulers and ambassadors were also unprecedented. He played a pivotal role in Pak-China friendship due to which ties between two countries were strengthened. He led life as a patriotic Pakistani and a full-fledged Editor. The deceased left his sons who are following his foot prints and his grand sons are also in field now and bringing good name to country through journalism. Though he was soft spoken man but he through his life remained firm with his stance.
Chairman and Editor in Chief, Pakistan Observer Faisal Zahid Malik highlighted the life of veteran journalist during era of Ayub Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Zia-ul-Haq. After bidding farewell to civil service, Zahid Malik started his career in journalism as resident editor of Nawa-i-Waqt and later started his own publication Weekly Hurmat. After Dhaka fall, he launched Pakistan Observer due to its necessity in the federal capital following closure of English newspaper Muslim. During his illustrious career in journalism, Zahid Malik was a potent voice for Kashmir and Palestine cause.
Faisal Zahid Malik also informed the participants about relations of his father with late Dr A Q Khan. Referring to the book of his father titled ‘DrQadeeraur Islamic Bomb’, he said that all the writings on the issue were inspired by this book. “My father also faced cases under official secret act and arrest for refusing to compromise on ethics of journalism”, he said. Recalling launching of Mazameen-e-Quran and its translation in English, German and French, he said that the chief guest MamnoonHussain was all praise for Zahid Malik. He (MamnoonHussain) said that Zahid Malik has done the act which should have been done by the government. He said that it was for the very first time that Ambassadors of these countries spoke about Islam on stage.
He also recalled the incidents after publication of book titled Debriefing of Dr Qadeer during the Musharraf regime. He said that the book resulted in a strong reaction from the government and Musharraf himself complained about the contents. “We face difficulties during various governments”, he said. He also narrated incidents when late Zahid Malik played reconciliatory roles to end differences between leaderships of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Describing last day of Zahid Malik after surgery in China, he said that his father was more concerned about the country and his children and not his health and life.
Speaking on the occasion acting president LPC Afzaal Talib said that no doubt zahid Malik was a seasoned journalist and his sons Faisal Zahid Malik and Guahar Zahid Malik are promoting his policies and legacy he left. He was of the view that other media house owners should follow the policy of ‘Pakistan Observer’ to pay salaries to the media workers on time. “We never heard that salaries of employees of Pakistan Observers were delayed and it is a matter of pride”, On behalf of LPC, I salute to the owners of Pakistan Observer for such a nice and pro- workers step, he maintained. Kamran Malik a former senior Deputy Director Civil Aviation and family member of late Zahid Malik spekaingon the occasion said, “To me, the biggest achievement of deceased is Mazameen-e-Quran wherein he made easy to the Muslims to find the topic of their choice from Holly Quran in alphabetic order”.
He claimed that every Judge of the court keep this book with him to find any reference from Quran immediately. Pakistan government conferred Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz on him against these services. President Punjab Assembly Press Gallery, Khawja Naseer Ahmed said that no doubt Zahid Malik was a great journalist that is why we are here to pay him tribute. He demanded Faisal Malik to raise voice in favour of media workers during the meetings of APNS and CPNE. Former SVP, LPC, AmjadUsmani in his address said that Mazameen-e-Quran project is unprecedented and Faisal Zahid Malik should follow the foot print of his father to serve media and humanity as well. Qamar Zaman Bhatti, Ijaz Ahmed Butt, Azhar Malik and other also spoke on the occasion.
