Seasoned journalist Raja Tariq passes away

Senior journalist and former deputy chief reporter of Daily Jang Raja Tariq passed away on Sunday night in a hospital as a result of cardiac failure.

Tariq suffered a major cardiac arrest after he reached near his residence in FC Area from the Karachi Press Club (KPC). “He was fit and fine,” said fellow journalist Amir Khan. “He returned from the KPC and was standing at a paan shop as per routine where he received a major heart attack,” he added.

His family members were immediately informed about the incident. They reached the paan shop and rushed him to a nearby private hospital. “At the hospital, the doctors told us to take him to a heart hospital immediately,” his nephew Raja Naveed told The News. He added that the family then took him to a heart hospital where doctors attempted to save his life but he died.

“My uncle had no disease like blood pressure and diabetes but he suddenly received a major heart attack as what doctors told us,” the nephew explained.

Tariq was a seasoned journalist who worked for various media organisations in his journalistic career spanning over 40 years. He also served as the deputy chief reporter in Jang newspaper.

Lately, he was associated with a private news channel as a senior reporter for the Karachi Bureau for the last seven years. He was also serving as the general secretary of the Crime Reporters of Pakistan (CRAP) and was a member of the Karachi Press Club and Karachi Union of Journalists.

He is survived by a widow and three daughters. As a reporter, he was known for his command over crime and terrorism issues. He also covered various other beats including politics.

“A couple of days before his death, he visited my office and was happy that he is turning to be 60 after two months and will be considered an old citizen of Pakistan,” CRAP President Sameer Qureshi told The News. “Besides being a good journalist, he was such a nice, polite and humble person. He was a compromising and loving person for all. His efforts for journalism and CRAP will always be remembered,” Qureshi added.

The funeral prayers for Tariq were offered at the Masjid-e-Wusta near his residence in FC Area after Zuhr prayers on Monday. A large number of people from various walks of life attended the prayers, after which he was laid to rest in a local graveyard. His Soyem will be held at Masjid-e-Wusta today (Tuesday) after Asr prayers.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Sindh Inspector General (IG) of Police Mushtaq Mahar, Additional IG Karachi Imran Yaqoob Minhas and various journalist bodies expressed grief on the demise of the senior journalist and prayed for him.