September 05, 2025
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) organised a ceremony at the Lahore Press Club to commemorate the 31st death anniversary of senior journalist and union leader Nisar Usmani. The event was held on the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and attended by journalists, editors, union leaders, and media workers.
The ceremony paid tribute to Usmani for his lifelong struggle for press freedom, freedom of expression, and the rights of journalists in Pakistan. Speakers remembered him as a pioneering figure who stood firm during some of the most difficult political periods in the country.
Prominent participants included senior journalist and columnist Sohail Warraich, journalist Imtiaz Alam, PFUJ Secretary General Arshad Ansari, PUJ Vice President Nadeem Zaeem, PUJ General Secretary Qamar uz Zaman Bhatti, and Secretary Lahore Press Club Zahid Abid.
In his address, Sohail Warraich said that Nisar Usmani and his contemporaries understood the importance of raising questions in times when freedom of the press was under strict control. He added that journalism’s core responsibility is to ask questions, identify public issues, and hold those in power accountable. Warraich noted that today’s journalists must carry forward the same spirit of questioning and truth-telling.
PFUJ Secretary General Arshad Ansari criticised restrictive media laws, including the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). He said such laws threaten the independence of the press and restrict the professional space of journalists. Ansari added that PFUJ would continue to hold events in memory of leaders such as Nisar Usmani and Minhaj Barna in order to revive the movement for journalists’ rights.
Senior journalist Imtiaz Alam said that the challenges faced by the media today require the same commitment and determination that Nisar Usmani displayed throughout his career. He urged journalists to remain steadfast and courageous despite pressures and restrictions.
Speaking to Voicepk, PUJ General Secretary Qamar uz Zaman Bhatti described Nisar Usmani as a legendary figure and a symbol of resistance against censorship. He stressed that today’s journalists should adopt Usmani as a role model for courage, integrity, and professional commitment.
Other speakers at the event also recalled Usmani’s services for the journalist community and his leading role in organizing unions across the country. They said his legacy continues to guide journalists in their struggle for freedom of expression and the protection of professional rights.
The ceremony concluded with a poetry recitation by renowned poet Baba Najmi, who paid homage to Nisar Usmani through his verses. Participants collectively acknowledged his contributions to journalism and reaffirmed their commitment to continue his mission of press freedom and journalists’ rights.