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Agha Murtaza Poya, the founder of the Olettic thinker, religious scholar and advanced newspaper, took his last breath in Karachi on Friday, June 27, after a prolonged illness. He was 76 years old. His body was taken to Islamabad, where the last rites were offered at the afternoon at Imambagah Sadiq in G -9. The last rites pulled a sea of mourners – journalists, political activists and fans who struggled to find a place in the civilizing courtyard, and gave the ultimate respect to the man whose life sparked and created in the most tumultuous decades of Pakistan.
Aga Murtaza was equally comfortable in the spheres of theology, journalism and politics. He was the founder editor of a Muslim, who was an important English language place, which was started daily in 1979. In this period described by censorship, Muslim emerged as a powerful and principled sound of resistance.
Dr. Millia Lodhi, one of the prominent editors of the Muslim, remembers him as a head:
“It was sad to hear that Murtaza Poya died. He established a Muslim newspaper, which became a voice of resistance during General Zia’s martial law and made a wonderful contribution to journalism in Pakistan.”
Born in a family of Iranian heritage who lived in Madras, Poya raised his deep sitting pledge for religious identity without being dissolved. Although he is eligible as a religious scholar, he has never used his faith to impose or patronize. Journalist Nusrat wrote in a deep personal tribute, “He preferred to avoid religious knowledge,” and never used his knowledge to present piety. His faith did not give him arrogance. “
In his provocative memory, Javed remembered his first meeting with Poya in August 1978:
“He was a tall man whose chest had an unforgettable brightness behind a wide chest and thick glasses in his eyes. He discussed national politics as it was a joke, which eliminated powerful individuals with wisdom and ease.”
The effect of Poya went far beyond journalism. He briefly served as a federal minister and later headed the government -fired think tank in Islamabad. In his subsequent years, he joined Pakistan Omi Tahrik and became his senior vice president, while establishing a close relationship with Dr Tahir -ul -Qadri and his movement.
Speaking to the news on Sunday, PAT Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandpur said:
“Aga Murtaza Poya was a scholar of great intellect, a journalist of deep insight and a sincere friend of the Tahrik-Munnaj al-Kurran. His writings echoed the demand for unity, peace and knowledge.
Poya showed a deep commitment to religious identity within himself, without ever descending. Although he is eligible as a religious scholar, he has never used his faith to impose or patronize.
The name may have been proposed by a Muslim, but it was nothing but its editorial ethics. It was influenced by the 19th -century English newspaper, which was first published in the colonial Madras. Under the leadership of Poya, the daily based in Islamabad, Girbold became an incubator for talented experiences, nurturing the career of countless journalists-including the choice of Mushahid Hussain Syed and Farhid Zaidi.
Despite the financial obstacles and constant pressure of state pressure, the Muslim followed a sect. His stories spoke at night in the drawing rooms of Islamabad. Cultural coverage was the beginning – introducing artists, authors and literary developments in Urdu and English. Javed reminded, “It was probably the only English daily where Urdu literary innovations were included with diplomatic issues and political scams.”
Javed added, “Poya Sahib never lost hope – even when the newspaper faced a lot of pressure from the Zia government, while senior editors resigned under strictly, he was notorious, he was committed to keeping the paper alive – even if it meant a compromise.”
It was flexibility that despite the difficulties during the rule of Zia, Poya never complained to reporters whose work caused ‘trouble’. Javed reminded that a piece of it delayed renewing the paper announcement, but Poya never accused him of:
“Once he did not mention the test that he created personally. It was his grace.”
Muslims were not just a paper – it was a movement. Its open floor newsroom, crack chairs and more used typewriters became a forge for innovation. “He gave me the courage,” Javed reminded, “He boldly predicted him to return to India in 1984 and boldly that Rajiv Gandhi would become the Prime Minister of India-at a time when our intelligence agencies had predicted a hungry parliament.”
In later life, Paa was rapidly attracted to spiritual and intellectual achievement. Still, despite the public silence, he remained a restless spirit. “Perhaps,” Javed concluded, “he was ‘died’ before his physical death. In our country, there is no longer a dynamic, courage and creative spirits like him.”
The political spectrum suffered condolences across this. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep grief, praising Poya’s role in defending democracy and free expression.
The statement said, “It was a brave voice that believed in unity and peace. May Allah grant his family the power to bear this loss and bless him at the highest place in Alfredis.”
Aga Murtaza Poya’s career was marked by contradictions and courage – a bearded Maulvi who fought for progressive reasons. A political actor who founded a very independent newspaper. And a thinker who dared to ask the Orthodox.
Pakistan will do better to remember Poya Sahib.
The author is a journalist based in Lahore. He has reported about politics, economy and militancy. This can be reached on X @HassanNaqvi5 to X.