Zubair Qureshi
Fellow journalists, colleagues, friends and members of family remembered veteran journalist, a teacher and a thorough gentleman Tariq Mehmood Malik in glowing words at a condolence reference held at the National Press Club on Malik’s second death anniversary. They cherished memories of the time spent with Malik and called him a warm-hearted man, a competent professional and a journalist of high standing.
Malik’s career both in print and electronic media is a shining example for journalists while his life out of the newsroom was an epitome of compassion.
Speakers shared stories of Tariq’s role and his conduct as a teacher and support for budding journalists while the family told how loving and caring a person he was.
They discussed traits and dimensions of his personality and said that the smiling portrait of Malik, at a banner of the condolence reference, reminds us all to keep smiling and believing in optimism.
Malik would always greet people with a welcoming smile and appear in a positive mood irrespective of the circumstances and hectic professional routine.
Senior journalists Rana Qasier, Mohsin Raza and Nawaz Raza spoke about how his dedication and enthusiasm for journalism would always keep him on toes. And how he would approach them for guidance and discussions on a variety of issues. Veteran journalist Mateen Haider shared his friendship and working days with Malik over the years and how the duo would hunt stories and meet officials to dig out facts.
Javed Soomro, Bureau chief HUM News, said that he would always consult Malik whenever he was in a fix for coverage of stories. Malik was associated with HUM News before his death.
Dr. Mudassir Mukhtar, Head of Department of Mass Communication at NUML said that Malik was pioneer member of the faculty and a “binding force.”
Dr. Atif Iftikhar from the NUML cherished memories of his friendship and the fighting spirit of Malik against odd realities of life.
Anwar Raza, president National Press Club Islamabad, said that Malik was a loving and caring colleague he would always miss him.
Malik’s daughter, Marium Tariq appeared as a reflection of her late father when she shared the account of her last meeting while he was being shifted to hospital.
She recalled that her father called the family from the hospital, before being shifted to ventilator, and asked them to “take care of my friends.”
It’s been two years that Malik left for heavenly abode but his iconic smiling face radiating optimism has been engraved in the memories of friends and family.
