Letter to the editor…
I was grieved to read about Mohammad Ilyas’s sad demise that I had known for a very long time. I first met him when I started writing a column for the Pakistan Times in 1967. He was a suave, soft-spoken gentleman who was always eager to learn and read. He was one of the now vanishing breed of journalists who are book-lovers and meticulous about facts, objective reporting and stylistic niceties. He would often borrow a book from my library and unlike many others return it in due course as promised.
I submitted my column to Mr. A. B. S. Jafri, then an assistant editor with the Pakistan Times but I would often come across Ilyas, then a young reporter when I visited the office of the paper in Westridge. He would often offer me a cup of tea and we would sit discussing diverse matters, along with others who would join in ranging from literature, journalism, education and international issues to ethics and how the country was being run. He was indeed a true gentleman, courteous and obliging whom it was a pleasure to meet and talk to. Always open to argument, though at times rather garrulous, he was hardly ever presumptuous or arrogant. He never spoke of himself, except when compelled, never defended himself by a mere retort and had no ear for slander or gossip. Indeed he was scrupulous in not imputing motives and interpreted everything for the best.
Further, he had too much good sense to be affronted at insults, was too much employed I always thought, to remember injuries and too indolent to bear malice. Perhaps he came nearest to the true gentleman as defined by Cardinal Newman. He will surely be missed by many a colleague, friend and admirer. May his soul rest in peace.
Ijaz Ilahi Malik
[email protected]
Source: The News
Date:9/27/2004
