Marketing Messages: Aijazul Haq

We were sure that no mission is impossible in journalism if truth is one’s sword.

Iwould like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to all our team members who really deserve to celebrate the first anniversary of the The Express Tribune.

In the broader journalistic perspective and conditions of contemporary news establishments a year ago, many people might have thought it was an impossible mission to bring out a new successful English language daily newspaper.

We were, however, sure that no mission is impossible in journalism if truth is one’s sword.

We were fortunate to have a dedicated team of professional journalists and newly-found enthusiastic young talent, headed and guided by seasoned journalist Muhammad Ziauddin, our executive editor, and our equally competent editor Kamal Siddiqi. Together, they have transformed a dream into reality. I am happy to see that the editorial team of The Express Tribune has shown great vision and incredible dedication needed for such a venture. The editorial, reporting, magazine and feature sections have produced immense readable output, bringing out the most innovative pages with eye-catching layout and designing.

I would also like to thank our ever enthusiastic and energetic publisher Bilal Ali Lakhani, who was able to bring together a very determined and excellently professional team of both young and experienced people under one umbrella. At the same time, heads of our marketing, operations and related departments took bold initiatives with the help of their team members and played their role in a significant way.

I believe that a newspaper can’t be a threat to democracy, freedom, peace and development and instead plays the role of a watchdog. And in such a chaotic and tumultuous political situation, newspapers can survive by committing themselves to objectivity, seeking the truth and having a positive approach. I am sure The Express Tribune will continue to flourish as a different and dynamic crusader in the future.

We would be better and more vigorous in our mission of free, fair and healthy journalism.

I once again thank all team members and the young and creative staff and wish them every success in their future professional endeavours and their journey to the next milestone.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th,  2011.