The visionary architect of modern journalism and voice of the masses

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Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman, the visionary founder of the war, was a man of extraordinary qualities – an eloquent speaker, a brilliant journalist and an inspiring leader. His charisma and sharp wit impressed everyone he met, whether he was a seasoned journalist or an aspiring writer.

Senior journalist Arif-ul-Haq Arif, who has a 58-year-long association with the war that continues, says, “In the early days of the war, he played every possible role. He cleaned the office, newspapers. reviewed, wrote editorials and edited articles, and even took photographs for publication.As a good reporter himself, he was determined to find good stories and scopes for his paper.

“Two anecdotes illustrate his dedication to journalism. During the reign of General Zia-ul-Haq, the National Assembly was replaced by a nominated Majlis Shura and a similar Sindh Council was created at the provincial level. Mir Sahib was a member of the Sindh Council. And the governor of Sindh, General Sadiq Ibrahim Abbasi, regularly attended its meetings. It was my responsibility to report on the proceedings. At one point, Mir Sahib glanced at the press gallery and assumed that the war reporter was missing I was there but it didn’t go unnoticed took out his notebook and wrote down the important points. After the session, when he saw me, he said, “I took these notes thinking you weren’t there. Please use them if they’re good.” I was amazed at the level of detail he documented the entire session.

Another incident took place during the farewell dinner organized by All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) for Governor Sindh Lt Gen SM Abbasi. Speculations were rife that he would be given the federal portfolio and soon news emerged that he had been nominated as the federal petroleum minister. Mir sat at the main table along with other media owners and editors while I sat at a distance. After the ceremony, Mir Sahib personally dropped me off at the office and said, ‘There is an important story; Wait for my call. About 15 minutes later, he called and broke the special news “The Governor had revealed that he had personally approved Nusrat Bhutto’s trip abroad.” The story appeared prominently in the War the next day, but no other newspaper published it.

Shabbir Ahmad Siddiqui, senior journalist, broadcaster and author of a book “Sahafat Se Sehat Tak”, who retired from Radio Pakistan as Controller News, recalls a few meetings with Mir Khalilur Rehman.

My first conversation with Mir Sahib was about a job after completing my Masters in Journalism from Karachi University. My father’s close friend Kazi Muhammad Akbar, who owned Abarat, referred me to Mir Sahib who called me for an interview, which turned into a long and engaging conversation lasting two and a half hours.

“I must say that Mir Sahib was a gifted conversationalist. He possessed a unique ability to mesmerize his guests with his eloquence and command of language. He steered the discussion so expertly that it felt less like an interview and more like a friendly exchange between two longtime acquaintances discussing matters of mutual interest.

While I didn’t get the job—he politely explained that there were no vacancies at the time—I left his office with an inexplicable sense of satisfaction, as if I had already secured a prized position in the battle group. had taken

Daily Jang’s role in Urdu journalism has been transformative, especially in Pakistan and the wider subcontinent. Before Pakistan’s independence, Karachi was home to Sindhi and English newspapers, but lacked a good Urdu publication. Urdu newspapers like Anjuman and Jang ushered in a new era in journalism after Karachi became the capital after independence. Initially launched as an evening newspaper in Delhi, Jang, in pre-Partition India, under the visionary leadership of Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman, grew into a powerful institution and a training ground for aspiring journalists. Daily Jang has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the history of Urdu journalism in the subcontinent.

“His success can be attributed to several fundamental principles that he always held dear,” says Dr Tausif, a columnist, analyst, and educationist. He adds, “First, he had an uncanny ability to identify and recruit talent into his organization. For example, when Imrooz ceased publication in 1958, several prominent journalists, including Ibrahim Jalis and Syed Muhammad Taqi, Joined the war.

Dr. Tauseef says, Mir Sahib also understood the importance of news and its presentation. He made great sacrifices to ensure that the content and layout of the news met the best standards and quality. One of Jung’s major contributions to Urdu journalism included the introduction of the press release, which revolutionized the way information was conveyed. By publishing statements from political parties, student organizations, and other groups, Jung gave readers a wider reach and perspective of the news. Mir Sahib’s commitment to technology distinguished Jung from his contemporaries. In the 1950s and 1960s, Jung changed from yellow paper and basic layouts to cleaner, more sophisticated and attractive designs that increased the paper’s visual appeal. It was among the first to use machines capable of transmitting images before the advent of computers and modems. This allowed Jung to print photographs in paper from cities around the world.

The 80s is known as the era of color printing and Jung took no time in adopting this technology. “In the 1980s, Jang revolutionized Urdu journalism by introducing Noori Nastaliq, thus modernizing the typesetting of Urdu newspapers.”

Whether criticizing flawed government policies or advocating for the oppressed and marginalized, Jung has always maintained his commitment to truth. During elections, he has diligently highlighted issues related to candidates and their platforms.

A notable example is the January 1965 presidential election between Fatima Jinnah and Ayub Khan. Fatima Jinnah’s election symbol was a lantern, while Ayub Khan’s was a rose. Before the elections, Jang published a special issue on Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday. The issue featured a picture of Quaid wearing a white suit with roses spread out at his feet. Symbolically, the image depicts the pure and unblemished character of the leader’s sister or her family, with the roses at the leader’s feet symbolizing the public’s resentment towards the other candidate for being at the leader’s feet. . Shabbir Siddiqui

This powerful message reflects the deep love and respect of the people for Jinnah and his sister. This was another example of the fearlessness of war raising the voice of the people.

Another important factor behind the success of the war was its involvement. “The newspaper offered a wide range of ideological perspectives, with columns and editorials that catered to different schools of thought from the left to the right,” says Dr Taseef.

An important milestone in Urdu journalism was Jung’s introduction of “interpretive reporting”, previously reserved for English newspapers like Dawn. When the war of Lahore began, Irshad Ahmad Haqqani added another aspect of journalism – the analysis of various news and opinions from an analytical perspective. Political and social issues were explained in depth, providing readers with insights not previously available in Urdu journalism. Although Jang maintained a balance by publishing conflicting opinions of columnists like Mujibur Rahman Shami, Abdul Qadir Hasan, Manu Bhai, Ahmad Basheer, who joined Jang with Irshad Sahib, the interpretive style gave a new shape to Urdu journalism and Jang increased the circulation in an unprecedented manner. Dr Taseef says.

Jung’s ability to adapt to modern reporting styles while maintaining his traditional strengths has helped him stay relevant in an increasingly competitive and changing media landscape.

The Lawyers movement of 2007, for example, marked a shift toward bolder, analytical reporting. Jang started publishing journalistic reviews on its front page which were not common in Urdu newspapers. These reviews often criticize sensitive topics. This evolution attracted readers who valued in-depth coverage and insightful commentary,” says Dr Taseef.

Arif-ul-Haq says that one of the outstanding characteristics of Mir Sahib was his strict adherence to punctuality. His deep respect for time permeates all aspects of his life, from work schedules to social engagements.

“During the Faran Club reception, the organizers cleverly served food before the event to ensure timely attendance. Impressed by their ingenuity, Mir Sahib continued his speech to appreciate their initiative and punctuality. Dedicated to emphasizing the importance of

Shahbir Sahib says, “In my childhood, there used to be a newspaper called Jang Do Anna. At that time it was famous for the services of Majeed Lahori, Rais Amrohavi and BA Najmi. Majeed Lahori’s verbal columns were extremely popular, and Jang’s shrewd declaration that he agreed or disagreed with the views expressed by his columnists protected him from any backlash. BA Najmi’s sharp and thoughtful cartoons convey what words cannot. Rais Amrohavi’s poetic poems added a literary dimension that was eagerly awaited by the readers. His melodious poems often reflected the mood of the nation.

Shabir Sahib recalls that when Jang Group’s English evening newspaper Daily News was started, Wajid Shamsul Hasan served as its editor and Qutbuddin Aziz, Jami Sahib and Allama Tanveer (who later joined Dawn) ) as authors contributed to this paper.

Shabbir Sahib shared a story about Professor Latif Ahmed, a Political Science expert at Islamia College. “One evening at the Amps restaurant near the Metropole Hotel in Karachi, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Allama Tanveer, and Nizami Sahib discussed the next day’s headline, as it was a national holiday when evening newspapers were of importance. Hurriyat’s Professor Latif, in-charge of the Sports Section, humorously referred to politicians Akbar Bugti, Attaullah Mengal, Khair Muhammad Murri, Sher Muhammad Murri and Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo, who were in London, and quipped, “What London?” Wajid immediately chose this as the headline for his paper the next day. The phrase “London Plan” was actually coined by Professor Latif, which is still in use today.

Digital media and social media have undoubtedly played a role in the decline of print journalism, but objectivity has also been seriously compromised as a result of this change. Dr Taseef says that ensuring the survival of print media is not only the responsibility of journalists but also the responsibility of the state, informed society and intellectual stakeholders.

“While the format of print media may evolve—perhaps moving from paper to digital platforms—it must remain the most reliable medium for objective reporting. The debate over the survival and revival of print media continues in newsrooms across Pakistan. , should be in universities and press clubs.

“During the crisis of 1971, when the Chittagong port was blockaded, resulting in a shortage of newsprint, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s government imported cheap newsprint and distributed it to newspaper publications. helped revive the print media industry at that time with nationalization and advertising support. Collaborative conferences involving media owners,” he maintained.

He also calls for reforms in the reporting structure. “Strengthening editorial authority and fostering a culture of adaptability and objectivity is critical to overcoming these challenges and ensuring the survival of print journalism in a changing media landscape.”