Noor Aftab
Islamabad: People belonging to different walks of life, especially journalism, gathered in large numbers at a condolence reference to pay homage to late Muhammad Yasin, who was a man of few words but left behind a legacy to be followed by the upcoming generation of mediapersons.
Organised by the National Press Club here on Saturday evening, the reference provided many people an opportunity to speak their hearts for a person who simply proved how a journalist could be effective in changing the course of life in favour of the general public.
Veteran journalist Muhammad Yasin, who died on April 4, started his career in the early 1960s and worked with many media organizations, including ‘Kohistan’, Pakistan Press International (PPI), ‘Pakistan Times’ and ‘The Muslim’. He joined daily ‘Dawn’ in 1996 and remained affiliated with it till his death.
Speaking on the occasion, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that his illustrious career as a journalist carved for him a unique place as a completely devoted professional keen on upholding the code of journalistic ethics. Recalling the Muhammad Yasin’s services for the cause of journalism, he said that the thoroughbred journalist showed high level of excellence in the field of journalism due to his professional approach.
PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that he always found Muhammad Yasin as a dedicated person. In all those years, in which they worked together in daily ‘The Muslim’, they always tried to promote journalism in its true essence.
Siddique ul Farooq of the PML-N said that Muhammad Yasin was a man of few words and he never ever tried to misuse his journalistic influence for personal gains but instead avoided even to speak for his genuine rights.
PPP leader Dr. Safdar Abbasi said that they have lost a dedicated, noble and cultured human being, who was a legend and pioneer in the field of objective journalism.
Naheed Khan of the PPP called Muhammad Yasin a journalist of high repute and calibre, who rendered invaluable services for the promotion of healthy journalism in the country.
Colonel (r) Zulfiqar Ali, brother of Muhammad Yasin, said that in all those years of dictatorship of Ayub Khan and Zia-ul-Haq, Muhammad Yasin never compromised on principled journalism and refused to accept pressure from any quarter.
National Press Club President Afzal Butt said that they would compile writings of Muhammad Yasin in book form to provide guidelines to upcoming journalists.
Other speakers who spoke on the occasion included PPP leader Sardar Saleem, senior journalist C R Shamsi, Fauzia Shahid and Mustansir Javed. They said Yasin’s objectivity and professional competence earned him a name in journalism.
Source: The News
Date:4/26/2010
