Minhaj Barna
Minhaj Barna منہاج برنا | |
|---|---|
| Born | Minhaj Muhammad Khan Afridi 1923 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) by the Government of Pakistan in 2015 |
Minhaj Barna (born Minhaj Muhamad Khan Afridi;
He was best known for his inspiring leadership and unrelenting struggle for press freedom during the rules of military dictatorships in Pakistan.
Pakistani media described Barna as an "icon of struggle."[1] Abid Hassan Minto, a well-known progressive politician and constitutional expert said that Barna was considered a "sincere person and a conscientious, principled journalist," who not only fought for the journalists but also fought for the rights of other press employees.[3]
Minhaj Barna was the elder brother of
Early life and career
Minhaj Barna was born in 1923 in a conservative
Minhaj Barna migrated with his family to Pakistan in 1949, where he joined several newspapers such as the
His major roles were as secretary-general and president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). He was first elected for these positions in 1969. He was also the founder-president of All-Pakistan Newspaper Employees Confederation (APNEC) that includes the union of journalists and combined unions of newspaper organisations.[2][1]
Minhaj Barna played a key role in a historic nationwide labor strike that lasted for 10 days in 1970. As a result, an act for protection of rights of journalists was made part of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan.[1][2] Minhaj Barna's health suffered a harmful blow when he, as a trade union leader, went on the longest hunger strike that any political party leader or group had ever observed.[1]
Death and legacy
Minhaj Barna died at a private hospital in Islamabad on 15 January 2011.[1] He was suffering from duodenum ulcer in his stomach for a long time and had undergone surgery. After the surgery, he was struggling for his life. He was buried at the Racecourse Graveyard in Rawalpindi. Pakistan.[1][2] Among his survivors are his daughter, Afshan Sardar, and his younger brother Meraj Muhammad Khan.[1]
One major Pakistani newspaper says, "Barna was a man of commitment and action who remained true to his cause to the very end of his life." Veteran Pakistani journalist,
Awards and recognition
- Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) by the Government of Pakistan for his services to journalism in 2015.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Iconic fighter for press freedom dies". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 15 January 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Icon of struggle Barna is dead". Dawn (newspaper). 14 January 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ a b "In footsteps of Barna: Journalists should struggle for broader social change, says Minto". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 17 January 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ a b "The complete list of recipients of awards on Pakistan Day". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 24 March 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2019.