Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
Founding Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer, an iconic journalist and a torch-bearer of the Ideology of Pakistan late Zahid Malik (1937-2016) was bestowed Pakistan’s second highest civilian award, Hilal-i-Imtiaz (posthumously) in recognition of his rich and varied contribution to the cause of journalism, Ideology of Pakistan, Islam and the Islamic Ummah.
President Asif Ali Zardari presented the award to Zahid Malik’s widow Mrs Rehana Zahid Malik during a prestigious award-giving ceremony organized in honour of the national heroes at the Aiwan-e-Sadr here Saturday.
The government of Pakistan, on Aug 14, 2023, the 76th Independence Day of Pakistan, had announced the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for Zahid Malik because of his meritorious services for the cause of the profession.
Besides his journalistic credentials, Mr. Zahid Malik was highly-respected in literary circles as he was a prolific writer and had authored around 15 books on diverse topics ranging from Islam to Pakistan and Pakistan’s nuclear journey.
His books “Mazameen-e-Quran-e-Hakeem,” “Mazameen-e-Ahadith,” “Dr A.Q. Khan and the Islamic Bomb” (both in English and Urdu) and “Mohsin-e-Pakistan ki Debriefing,” are the best sellers even today and reflect his deep association with the religion and the country.
Mr. Zahid Malik was also awarded an honorary Degree of PhD in Philosophy at the 6th Convocation of Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education in Karachi on December 11, 2013.
As per the tradition, each year on the eve of the Independence Day the Pakistan government announces a list of the recipients of awards in different categories of civil and military achievements and then next year on the eve of the Pakistan Day (March 23), those awards are given to the recipients.
The Hilal-i-Imtiaz was presented to Mrs Malik in a star-studded ceremony that was also attended by ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, family members of the recipients of the awards and a large number of the notable personalities from different walks of life.
After the citation was read out from the podium Mrs Rehana Zahid Malik stepped forward to receive the award on behalf of her late husband.
Zahid Malik was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz earlier in 2012 by the then government of the Pakistan People’s Party and it is a strange coincidence
that at that time too, President Zardari was there to decorate Mr Malik with the award.
It was a proud moment for the family of late Zahid Malik, his children—Chairman & CEO of Pakistan Observer Mr Faisal Zahid Malik, President of the newspaper, Mr Gauhar Zahid Malik, MD of the OTV, Mr Omer Zahid Malik and Editor of the family magazine ‘Social Diary’ Ms Sadia Zahid Malik, grandchildren, friends and former colleagues some of them were sitting there to pay tributes and relive the memories of their departed soul.
The news of Hilal-i-Imtiaz for Zahid Malik was received with immense joy and jubilation not only by the family of late Zahid Malik but also by the staff members of Pakistan Observer, his friends and former colleagues too who cherish his memories and consider him a role model for them.
They termed it a great honour for Mr Malik, his family and the newspaper that prides itself in carrying forward his golden legacy.
Mr. Zahid Malik was indeed a larger than life personality, a staunch advocate of the unity of Ummah and a champion of the Ideology of Pakistan.
He was a true lover of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and took guidance from his Uswa-e-Husna. He was also a great admirer of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and believed without the Quaid’s leadership and the philosophy of Allama Iqbal it was almost impossible to achieve a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia.
Throughout his life, Zahid Malik preached and promoted the Ideology of Pakistan and kept reminding the people, particularly the youth of the raison d’etre of Pakistan and the sacrifices laid down by the founding fathers of Pakistan for the cause of a separate homeland.
He also founded the Nazriya Pakistan Council a platform where the youths and students are briefed and apprised even today of different phases of Pakistan Movement and potential of the country to grow and prosper. The NPC keeps organizing seminars, debates and conferences to inculcate among the youth rich values of Islam, spirit of Pakistan Movement, and unity of Ummah.
Through Pakistan Observer too, Zahid Malik served the cause of Islam and ‘Ideology of Pakistan.’ He always supported the Kashmiri peoples’ indigenous struggle for the right of self-determination and believed in the Inter-faith harmony and peace among followers of different faiths. Celebrating Christmas with the Christian community was a regular event at the NPC when Zahid Malik along with the members of the Christian community cut cake and greeted them.
He also raised his voice for the liberation of Palestine from Israel’s illegal occupation, Pakistan’s nuclear programme and the country’s economic sovereignty. He believed in a strong Federation and was convinced that the Pakistani nation had the resilience to bounce back amidst the worst type of crises.
Zahid Malik was also a visionary journalist and had foreseen how important it was for Pakistan to further strengthen the bond of friendship and expand cooperation with People’s Republic of China in diverse fields. He always regarded China as Pakistan’s best, sincere and time-tested friend and in his articles and essays he always reminded the Pakistani leadership to take full advantage of this rare and unique bond of friendship with China. It was, perhaps, in this background that when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 he preferred to get treatment from a Chinese hospital. In China, he was provided with the best medical and clinical treatment and he returned home quite healthy and recovered.
In order to bring the intellectuals and strategists from both the countries on one platform Zahid Malik, founded a think tank i.e. ‘101 Friends of China.’ The forum holds its meetings on a regular basis and provides feedback to the governments of Pakistan as well as the People’s Republic of China on the pace and possibility of further cooperation in various sectors.
In short, Mr. Zahid Malik was a multidimensional personality and a patriotic Pakistani who had a deep understanding of the challenges facing Pakistan and always came up with practicable solutions to them. May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace!
