Veteran journalist Arif Nizami passes away in Lahore

He was under treatment for a heart-related ailment at a private hospital

LAHORE:

Veteran journalist and former caretaker federal minister Arif Nizami passed away in Lahore on Wednesday.

According to Express, the journalist was under treatment for a heart-related ailment at a private hospital for some time.

Nizami was the founder and the editor of the English newspaper Pakistan Today. He also served as the caretaker federal minister for information and postal service in 2013.

Condolences

Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi expressed their condolences over the Nizami’s demise.

“Saddened to learn of the passing of veteran journalist, editor and political commentator Arif Nizami,” PM Imran said in a tweet.

Saddened to learn of the passing of veteran journalist, editor and political commentator Arif Nizami. My condolences and prayers go to his family.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 21, 2021

President Alvi also prayed for forgiveness and patience for the bereaved family members

صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا سینئر صحافی عارف نظامی کی وفات پر اظہار افسوس

صدر مملکت کا عارف نظامی کی وفات پر گہرے رنج وغم کا اظہار

مرحوم کی صحافت کے شعبے میں گراں قدر خدمات کو ياد رکھا جائے گا، صدر مملکت

صدر مملکت کی مرحوم کی مغفرت اور اہل خانہ کیلئے صبر جمیل کی دعا

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 21, 2021

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed heartfelt condolences on the sad demise. “May Allah bless his soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen,” he was quoted by the DG ISPR as saying in a tweet.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, #COAS, expresses heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of senior journalist Arif Nizami. “May Allah bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen”, COAS.

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 21, 2021

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said he was ‘heartbroken’ to hear the news of Nizami’s demise. He prayed for mercy on the departed soul. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of the passing of the veteran journalist.

عارف نظامی صاحب کی رحلت کا سن کر دل بجھ گیا ہے، ان سے طویل تعلق تھا، تحریک پاکستان میں ان کے والد حمید نظامی اور میرے دادا چوہدری اویس اور تایا چوہدری الطاف حسین ہمسفر تھے اسی تعلق سے ان سے وہی تعلق رہا جو خاندان کے بزرگوں سے ہوتا ہے خدا غریق رحمت کرے pic.twitter.com/AnUJFpUflZ

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) July 21, 2021

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the death of the senior journalist.

“Arif Nizami's death marks the end of a journalistic era in the country,” the PML-N leader said adding that as editor, analyst and leader of the journalist community, Nizami demonstrated his talent and ability in every aspect.

He added that Nizami was an ideological and principled journalist who worked tirelessly to create a new place for himself

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the death,” he said. “May Allah Almighty grant him a high place in Paradise.”