Veteran Journalist Khaled Ahmed Passes Away
Khaled Ahmed, a distinguished journalist, passed away at his residence in Zaman Park in Lahore on Sunday. He was eighty-one years old. He succumbed to cardiac arrest.
Career Beginnings in Foreign Service and Journalism
His professional career began as a bureaucrat in the foreign service, but he had been a journalist for over four decades. He was born in Jalandhar in 1943.
The Pakistan Times, The Nation, The Frontier Post, The Friday Times, and Daily Times employed him throughout his journalistic career. Most recently he was working as a consulting editor at Newsweek Pakistan in Lahore.
Educational Background and Academic Achievements
Khaled Ahmed completed his MA (Honours) on the register of honor at the Government College Lahore during the 1965 conflict and earned a diploma in German language from Punjab University. Moscow State University awarded him a diploma in Russian (interpretation) In 1970.
The following books were written by him: Pakistan: The State in Crisis, Pakistan: Behind the Ideological Mask (Facts Behind the Great Men We Don’t Want to Know), Sectarian War: Sunni-Shia Conflict in Pakistan, Word for Word: Stories Behind Everyday Words We Use, and Pakistan’s Terror Conundrum.
Najam Sethi Remembers His Close Friends
Najam Sethi, a journalist, recalled his friendship with Khaled: “We were friends during our time at GC in the 1960s.” Subsequently, we collaborated extensively on The Friday Times, Aajkal, and the Daily Times. He was one of the most well-informed individuals in the nation. Although he was a linguist, he was a source of prodigious knowledge, despite being soft-spoken, unassuming, and modest, and deeply rooted in local culture. The most disheartening aspect is that the state failed to acknowledge him.
Tributes from Talat Hussain
Talat Hussain described the deceased as an exceptional journalist. His writings provided nuanced insights into the intricate sociopolitical topography of Pakistan. “Khaled Ahmed established himself as a thoughtful and courageous individual who was not averse to questioning the prevailing narratives and conventions through his work. He has left a vacancy in the intellectual and journalistic landscape of Pakistan with his departure.
Ejaz Haider Reflects on Mentorship and Legacy
Ejaz Haider, a journalist, remarked upon Khaled Ahmed’s passing, “Khaled Sahib and I have been associated since 1986, when The Nation was first established.” Subsequently, in 1991, I was granted the opportunity to collaborate with him on the editorial board of The Frontier Post. He served as my mentor. We reunited in 1995 at The Friday Times and subsequently at the Daily Times, where we shared an office until 2009. This provided me with the opportunity to absorb his wisdom. He was a symbol.
Condolence Message by Syed Javed Nazir
In his condolence message, Syed Javed Nazir stated that the passing of Khaled Ahmed resulted in the loss of one of Pakistan’s most influential media advocates.
“His editorials, columns, and articles contributed a novel perspective to Pakistani English journalism. ” And subsequent postings in Moscow and Eastern Europe. Khaled Ahmed’s unwavering friendship and support from those who esteemed his professionalism were a result of his essential bonhomie. He was a trend-setting editor. But his disposition was quite mercurial, as is the case with the majority of exceptional editors. Nazir declared that his distinctive voice will persist in its resonance with those who recognize the importance of truth.
Funeral Arrangements
Khaled Ahmed’s funeral prayers was conducted at Zaman Park. He has bequeathed a son to lament his passing.
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