KARACHI: Imran Aslam, a veteran journalist and president of the Geo and Jang Group, passed away in Karachi on Friday, his family, friends and organisation said. He was 70.

They said that Aslam had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Born in Chennai, formerly known as Madras, in 1952, he studied in London in the 1970s and had a great career in journalism. Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Super were launched under his leadership. He was also the founding member of the English-language newspaper The News.

A journalist, voice-over artist, TV network head and an all-out visionary, Mr Aslam’s three-decade-long career was marked by major accomplishments.

PM, Zardari, US embassy offer condolences

He also made a career in script-writing and many of his plays appeared on television and on stage. He also wrote over 60 dramas for stage and television.

Nicknamed as Tippu by his father, Aslam was second among five siblings. His younger brother and senior editor of The News International Talat Saleem Aslam, aka Tito, died in May 2022. His family announced his funeral for Saturday (today) at 4pm at his residence. The burial will take place at a graveyard in DHA, Phase 8, it said.

Condolence messages poured in with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif among those extending their condolences to the deceased’s family and friends.

“Saddened by the passing of veteran journalist and president of Geo TV Imran Aslam. He belonged to a breed of journalists who made eminent contribution to the development of Pakistani journalism. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends & colleagues,” the prime minister tweeted.

The US Embassy in Islamabad also expressed its condolence on the demise of the senior journalist.

“The US Embassy expresses its deep condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of veteran journalist and media giant Imran Aslam. His foundational role in Pakistan’s broadcast media instrumentally strengthened Pakistani civil society, and he will long be remembered,” the embassy said in a tweet.

In a statement, All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) President Sarmad Ali and Secretary Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani expressed profound grief on behalf of the society and members of the Executive Committee.

“The APNS acknowledges his role and contribution towards the development and promotion of media industry in Pakistan. The APNS offered condolence to the bereaved family and his colleagues and prayed that Almighty Allah may rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give them courage and patience to bear the irreparable loss,” it said.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also offered condolences in separate statements.

Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said she was deeply saddened. “Describing what he was or what he excelled in is beyond this space,” she tweeted.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2022