Senior journalist Arif Nizami passes away in Lahore

Senior journalist and former caretaker federal minister for information and postal service Arif Nizami passed away in Lahore on Wednesday.

According to his nephew, Babar Nizami, veteran journalist was under treatment at a hospital for the last two weeks after he had suffered a heart attack.

Arif Nizami was moved to ICU following cardiac arrest but did not recover.

He was the son of Hameed Nizami, the founder Nawa-i-Waqt Group of newspapers. 

Arif Nizami served as the caretaker federal minister in former caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso’s cabinet in 2013. 

Following the news of his sad demise condolence messages are being shared on social media.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, reacting to the journalist’s death, in a tweet said: “Saddened to learn of the passing of veteran journalist, editor, and political commentator Arif Nizami. My condolences and prayers go to his family.“

 

Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed termed Nizami’s death as a personal loss.

 

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in his tweet said that he had a long relationship with Nizami.

“I am heartbroken to hear of the demise of Arif Nizami. I had a long relationship with him. His father Hameed Nizami and my grandfather Chaudhry Owais were companions in Tehreek-e-Pakistan. May God have mercy on the elders,” he tweeted.

Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab in his tweet said,” Heard about the sad demise of Arif Nizami sb. He was an icon in the field of journalism & always preferred substance over sensationalism. May Allah Ta’ala bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family.”

Senator Sherry Rehman in her tweet said: “Devastated that old friend, colleague and pillar of Pakistani journalism, Arif Nizami has passed away. His passing symbolises the end of an era! He was from an old guard who sacrificed for principles and never shied from telling bald truths to power. Heart goes out to his family.”