PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that independent media and positive journalism are indispensable for democracy.

He said that media always played an exemplary role in strengthening democratic norms. “Media acts as an interface between people and government. Media and provincial government have enjoyed cordial relations during the last four years which will be maintained in the future,” he added.

He was addressing as chief guest the sixth Lala Amir Ahmed Siddiqui Media Awards ceremony at Chief Minister’s House here on Tuesday. He distributed awards among the winners.

The chief minister also presented the posthumous lifetime achievement award to internationally acclaimed journalist Rahimullah Yusfuzai, which was received by his son Arshad Yusufzai.

Mahmood gives away Lala Amir Ahmed Siddiqui awards to journalists

He termed Lala Amir Ahmed Siddiqui Media Awards an encouraging initiative for promotion of ethical and competitive journalism in the province.

Mr Khan paid rich tribute to the services of late Amir Ahmed Siddiqui, Rahimullah Yusufzai and other senior journalists. He said that Rahimullah Yusufzai not only had a key role in promoting positive journalism but was also considered an authority on Afghan affairs.

“I consider late Rahimullah Yusufzai my teacher. I used to consult him on various issues as a chief minister,” he said. He urged young media persons to follow in the footsteps of legendary journalists like Rahimullah Yusufzai.

The chief minister also announced cash prize of Rs50,000 for each award winner besides naming a hospital after Rahimullah Yusfuzai in his native village.

Speaking on the occasion, chairman of department of journalism, University of Peshawar, Dr Faizullah Jan said that practicing journalism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had turned into a difficult occupation in the age of terrorism.

Peshawar Press Club president Mohammad Riaz also threw light on the journalistic career of Rahimullah Yusufzai and said that he was an epoch of journalism.

He said that Lala Amir Ahmed Siddiqui was a representative of the Peshawar’s culture and rendered many services for the promotion of journalism in the province.

Dawn editorial cartoonist Mohammad Zahoor was given special award. He thanked the organisers and members of the jury for the award. He hoped the award would continue to encourage young journalist of the province.

Journalists associated with Tribal News Network, a digital news platform, won three awards including best Urdu feature, digital report and English feature. TNN’s Iftikhar Khan received award for best Urdu feature while Salman Yousfazai won award in the category of video and Waseem Sajjad in the best English feature.

Anwar Khan received award in radio category, Fatima Nazish in TV category and heirs of late photographers Sikandar Shah and Shabbir also received cash awards in photography category.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2022