A bright era in the field of journalism

We both were young, enthusiastic and energetic. We were experiencing the constantly evolving field of Journalism in a newly created country having fierce competition among various newspapers. We used to meet on the third floor of the Jang building. I had just arrived from Lahore having no knowledge about the geography of Karachi. But I was blessed with the company of the compassionate founder-owner of the Jang group Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman, while his younger brother Mir Habib-ur-Rahman was our Managing Editor. Mir Javed Rahman, a tall smiling handsome person with inquisitive bright eyes was my colleague. Other colleagues included Anwar Shaoor, Ahfazur Rahman, Naeem sahib, Mujib-ur-Rahman Shami, Khalid Khuld, Naushaba Siddiqui, Saeeda Afzal, Rehana Hatami. Nazir Naji, who invited me to come to Karachi, was the Assistant Editor of Akhbar-i-Jahan.

My association with Javed Sahib dates back to February 1967 and continues till date, though he is no more in this world now, a fact which seems hard to believe. But we all have to return to our Creator. In these 53 years filled with turmoil, national and global crises and developments, one constant feature, which remains stuck to my mind, is the inquisitive eyes of Mir Javed Rahman. Whenever he embarked on any new project, he would start deliberating on every aspect of that project, with a determination to accomplish it in time. There was neither any internet nor mobile phone or facebook. Books were the only source of reference and he knew how to use that reference. If Javed Rahman wanted to start a series of articles on secret agencies around the world, he would immediately buy various books on the related topics, his favourite book shops were at a local hotel. He would study them himself and also distribute among his editorial team. After a brain storming session on the secret agencies of Israel, India, Iran, Russia, the United States, Morocco, a series of articles on that topic would start gracing the newspaper in a couple of weeks.

I still remember someone mentioned the predictions made by famous French Astrologer Nostradamus in the ’80s. Javed Rahman amazingly gave several books about the predictions and made us understand Nostradamus. It didn’t take long that a section was dedicated to it. Nostradamus’ predictions, explanation and justification. has become a science now but we acquired all this knowledge by Javed Sahib. At times, I confess to myself that in the early days of my career, had it not been the company of Javed Sahib, I wouldn’t have mastered the art of making news and articles. His inquisitiveness and enthusiasm to chase a project and determination to follow deadline, have been behind the increasing popularity of Ahkbar-i-Jahan.

Ahkbar-i-Jahan is a unique and successful experiment in the field of Urdu journalism. In the last 53 years, journalism has undergone rapid changes, with new technology and calligraphic styles emerging. Experimentation with the magazine to retain the interest of its readers with new topics and sections, was undoubtedly, the brainchild of Mir Javed. Finding beautiful faces and models for title pages and publication of famous novels kept the readers connected to the magazine. I have visited various countries of the world in my journalistic sojourn, and was surprised to see Akhbar-i-Jahan representing Pakistan in all the big libraries of those countries and embassy offices-reflecting the constant hard work and team leadership of Mir Javed.

Despite being the owner of a large publication house, Mir Javed lived a very simple and disciplined life. He used to follow all the rules himself which he made for others, and at times he would become strict about it. Mir Javad was not fond of social gatherings or meeting people too much. Like his father, he avoided self promotion. Mir Sahib loved him a lot and would keep on teaching him the tricks of the trade in the newspaper industry.

The third floor of the Jang building, which is now home to fine offices of Mag the Weekly and Akhbar-i-Jahan, was just an open floor in the ’60s, with our chairs and tables aligned in rows. Mir Javed used to sit on the 2nd floor but would often come up on our floor to monitor the work. Sometimes he would sit across my table and would ask about the topics we were working on, that week or he would sit with Mujeeb-ur-Rahman Shami . His eye always remained on future. Besides books, personalities, literature, his most favourite topic was zodiac signs and he would judge people on that basis, sometimes making perfect analysis of a person. He had a large collection of books on astronomy, which is an advance science now. Many big newspapers have added a weekly horoscope column. But whenever a new ruler would come to power, Mir Javed would find out his zodiac sign and would print the analysis of style of his government and his future in the newspaper.

Back in 1985, during non-party election, I was working with Jang group as a political reporter. When the polling was just a few days away, Mir Javed called me in the executive editor’s office and asked me: “Take a tour of Pakistan and send us news from all over the country on election situation.” With no internet or fax service, only telex and telephones were available at that time.

This was a challenging and new task, which seems quite easy nowadays. But travelling to Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore, Multan, and Bahawalpur with PIA as the only airline, was no mean task at that time. A broadminded and futuristic newspaper owner like Javed sahib asked me to visit the whole country in two to three days and interview all the important personalities there. I'm glad that I lived upto his expectations. He remained in constant contact with all the correspondents via phone. At the end of this journalistic excursion, all the candidates of chief minister ship about whom Jang had predicted came to power including Mian Nawaz Sharif.

Mir Javed would always insist to publish new chief minister’s first interview in Daily Jang. When President Farooq Leghari dismissed Benazir Bhutto's government, and Mumtaz Ali Bhutto took over as the caretaker CM Sindh, Javed Sahib came to the first floor and said: "let's interview Mumtaz Ali Bhutto.” Due to a very hot political atmosphere in the country, we had forgotten Jang’s tradition. I scheduled the interview and reached CM house. Normally we journalists take credit for such adventures but the credit should be given where it is due. I have many fond memories related to professional and personal life with Mir Javed, who was always sympathetic towards his employees and would give them increment and perks according to the current trend.

Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman used to join his employees in their hours of joy or grief. He would attend marriage ceremony of children of his employees, along with his wife and would give expensive gifts. Similarly, if an employee fell ill or their close relative had passed away, Mir Sahab would attend the funeral. Mir Javed followed in the footsteps of his father. His was a long era of journalism with his enormous contribution both in English and Urdu journalism.

May Allah dwell Mir Javed Rahman in Jannatul Firdaus. My condolence to his entire family, specially his mother.

-The writer is former editor Jang