Monitoring Desk
KARACHI: Saleem Asmi, a veteran journalist and former editor of Daily DAWN passed away in Karachi, in the early hours Saturday after a protracted illness. Saleem Asmi was the first Dawn Editor from the news side, having served as a News Editor for the paper and the ‘Khaleej Times’. He was also responsible for launching Dawn Islamabad edition. Saleem Asmi was the role model for the journalist community of Pakistan.
Prior to his instinct with Daily DAWN, Saleem Asmi served the first English Daily from the Federal Capital ‘The Muslim’ as Editor News for a few years under the Editorship of renowned journalist A.T. Chaudhry.
Meanwhile, a condolence meeting of Karachi Editors Club (KEC) was held here Saturday to condole the death of Saleem Asmi.
KEC members offered Fateha for the departed soul and prayed that Allah Almighty may rest the departed soul in eternal peace in Jannah and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude. Ameen.
The condolence meeting, among others, was largely attended by Mubasher Mir, Mukhtar Aqil, Manzar Naqvi, Syed Ibne Hassan, Masood Zaidi, Azfar Masood, Mukhtar Butt, Naeemuddin, Najamuddin Shaikh, Ms Rida Saifee, Ms. Alveena Agha, Anwer Aqeel Jafri, Z.H Khurram, Dr. Javed Manzar, and Agha Masood Hussain.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued in Islamabad on Saturday, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condoled sad demise of veteran Journalist Saleem Asmi and termed his life a symbol of struggle and resilience for freedom of Journalism in the country.
In a statement issued by PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi while recalling struggle and commitment for Journalism, freedom of press, speech and expression in the country and strengthening of democracy and democratic norms, they said he was an iconic figure played a vital role during initial period of Pakistan as founding member of Democratic Student Federation (DSF) for which was later banned in the country.
As a journalist, Saleem Asmi kept his struggle for Press freedom, continued as trade unionist and founding member of PFUJ and fought for the rights of the newspaper industry.
His entire journalistic career and work has guided new entrants of journalism as he had long journalistic career by working with Pakistan Times, The Muslim, Khalij Times, and Dawn.
His death can be termed to be an end to an institution in journalism, however his struggle and work will be remembered during all time to come and will remain source of guidance for entire journalist community, the PFUJ statement said.
