Inam Aziz was voice of truth: speakers

LONDON : Rich tributes were paid to the journalistic skills of late Inam Aziz at a function held at the Pakistan High Commission on Tuesday to mark the publication of his book “Stop Press: A life in journalism”.
This account of Inam’s life in journalism was originally written in Urdu but the English translation has been done by a noted US-based journalist and writer Khalid Hasan who specially flew from Washington to attend the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr.Maleeha Lodhi praised the services rendered by Inam Aziz in the field of journalism.
She said after reading the book, she admired the courage and professionalism of Inam in upholding the truth in times of adversity. She noted that books convey the intellectual development of the communities and Inam’s autobiography has aptly shown his bravery and conviction in telling the readers the real facts.
Khalid described Inam as one of the stalwarts of Urdu journalism in Pakistan who rose to become the editor of the London edition of the Jang. He said during the era of General Ziaul Haq in Pakistan, Inam’s daily Millat was the only newspaper that fought his dictatorship with courage and sincerity.
“He lost both his money and his health in that lonely fight but will always occupy a place of honour in Pakistan’s history as a result of his crusade against military rule and for his part in the establishment of representative government in the country.”
He narrated many interesting anecdotes about the journalistic abilities of Inam with whom he had close friendship while based in London. “He was a master of headlines who translated news with great clarity and speed,” said Khalid.
He said book provides a clear insight into the growth of journalism in Pakistan and the pressures and setbacks suffered by the country’s journalists in their endeavour to report the truth.
Inam’s colleague Hamraz Ahsan spoke of their days working together in bringing out the London edition of Millat while similar messages were read out on behalf of his BBC colleagues Raza Ali Abdi and Asif Jilani.
Son Imtiaz Aziz spoke of his father’s passion for journalism and upholding freedom of speech and his trials and tribulations. Inam died in 1993, aged 65 years.
Minister Press Imran Gardezi conducted the largely attended proceedings.