KARACHI: The Karachi Press Club honoured its veteran members at a simple ceremony organised by its governing body on Friday.

Speakers at the ceremony paid tribute to the founding and other veteran members for always being in the vanguard of the decades-long struggle for press freedom.

They said that ever since its establishment in 1958, the club had been providing a forum to the oppressed segments and individuals of society, encouraging them to raise their voice against the usurpers of fundamental, constitutional and human rights. They recalled the courage and hope demonstrated by the KPC veterans during the dark days of martial law imposed by dictators and also during the autocratic dispensation of various civilian rulers.

The veterans who spoke at the ceremony highlighted their contemporaries’ contribution to the club’s efforts towards encouraging and strengthening various pro-democracy movements and the continuing struggle for press freedom.

Abul Akhyar, Zubeida Mustafa and Muhammad Ali Siddiqi urged KPC members to uphold the values and traditions set by the veterans.

I.A. Khan, Mehmood Sham, Abdul Hameed Chhapra, Sheen Farrukh, Iqbal Dal, Mohammad Jami, Mohammad Mian, Humayoon Aziz and Wilayat Ali Islahi also spoke.

The club veterans were presented KPC shields in recognition of their valuable services to the club.

Earlier, KPC President Imtiaz Faran and Secretary A.H. Khanzada welcomed the guests.
Source: Dawn
Date:12/5/2009