Lahore – Rich tributes were paid by senior journalists and leading intellectuals to late Zafar Iqbal Mirza (ZIM) and lauded his services for quality journalism at a Reference held at Safma. Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General of Safma, said Mr ZIM was a great professional journalist who kept higher professional standards while defying the restrictions employed by the dictators Mr I A Rehman, spokesperson of HECP, recalled his contribution to print journalism and for a free press in Pakistan. He called upon the younger generation to follow his example as a role model for maintaining high professional standards. Lamenting current state of a suppressed freedom of expression, Dr Akmal Hussain observed that a civilised society cannot be created without freedom of speech and flourishing of new ideas. He lauded ZIM for his civilised defiance and steadfastness against tyranny. Senior journalist Husain Naqi recalled ZIM’s services for Pakistan Times, Dawn, Viewpoint, Punjab Punch and Sajan. He said that ZIM was a flawless editor and columnist, who trained and helped successive generation of journalists. His colleague Masoodullah Khan taked about the versatility of his friend and recalled how he helped friends and the needful. Ms Saleema Hashmi expressed her admiration for his humanism, virtuousness and friendliness and as a lover of art. Mr ZIM represented the old tradition of clean journalism and was a praise worthy gentleman who was not only a distinguished journalist but also a very decent human being. In his dearth, We have lost an iconic personality of media, who had set high standards that are now missing in the mainstream media.
