Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman; A legacy of tenacity, vision, and a distinctive journey in journalism

According to information available on Wikipedia, Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman, the founder and Editor of Jang Group of Newspapers, emerged as a self-made newspaper magnate and is recognised among the most successful newspaper entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Born into a Kashmiri business family in July 1921, he experienced economic challenges that led his family to migrate from the Kashmir Valley to Gujranwala, Punjab, where he was born. His primary education took place in Gujranwala, followed by matriculation from Fatehpuri Muslim High School in Delhi and a degree from Daryaganj Commercial College, Delhi.

During the Second World War, his family relocated to New Delhi, India’s capital, and it was there that Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman discovered his passion for journalism. Unlike the mundane world of accounting books, the dynamic realm of newspapers captivated him. With a deep-seated love for reading and writing, coupled with a keen interest in newspapers and magazines, he found himself engrossed in the latest war news through his radio set.

In 1939, while still a college student, Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman took the initiative to establish a newspaper aimed at serving the Muslim community of British India during World War II. He aptly named it Jang, meaning War. Despite criticism from some quarters suggesting that the name fueled war hysteria, Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman clarified that his intention was to support the soldiers and not to endorse the war itself. This early venture marked the beginning of his illustrious career in the field of journalism.

Following the independence of Pakistan on August 14, 1947, Mir Khalil relocated to Karachi and initiated the publication of the Daily Jang from there. To fund this venture, he secured a loan of 5000 rupees from Abdul Ghani Barq of Ferozsons Publishers in Lahore. This move garnered the admiration of Pakistan’s first Governor General and founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who also offered government assistance in its operation. However, Mir Khalil declined the offer, emphasising that the freedom of the press was his guiding principle and ultimate goal for journalism in Pakistan. Mir Khalil also played a pivotal role in establishing the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors.

Renowned politician Afrasiab Khattak, in commending Jang’s pivotal role in contemporary journalism, proposes a significant transformation for the current era. He suggests that in today’s context, the name “Jang” should be changed to “Aman” (peace). This suggestion stems from Mir Saheb’s dedicated efforts in promoting democracy during periods of dictatorship, facing censorship and advertisement bans with exemplary resilience. Khattak insists on the importance of intensifying efforts to advance democracy, especially given the critical juncture Pakistan finds itself in. He emphasises Jang’s potential to play a pivotal role in championing this noble cause, recognising the nation’s urgent need for democratic strengthening in its most challenging phase of existence.

Often likened to the influential media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, Mir Khalil earned the moniker of the “Rupert Murdoch” of Pakistan from many of his admirers. Born on March 11, 1931, in Melbourne, Australia, Rupert Murdoch graduated from Worcester College, Oxford, in England. Similarly, during his college years, Rupert joined the Daily Express in London as an editor, a role that laid the foundation for his future position as the managing director of News Corp Australia at the young age of 22. Reflecting on his upbringing, Murdoch acknowledged, “I was brought up in a publishing home, a newspaper man’s home, and was excited by that, I suppose. I saw that life at close range and, after the age of ten or twelve, never really considered any other.”

While the goals and visions of these two remarkable individuals were aligned, the circumstances and environments in which they flourished differed significantly. Unlike Rupert Murdoch, who benefited from a family business, Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman faced a more arduous journey in establishing the empire that stands today, a legacy continued by his son, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. Many contemporaries and associates share poignant stories of Mir Saheb’s relentless struggle. His dedication and unwavering commitment to pursuing his objectives were unparalleled.

Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman faced numerous challenges from successive governments due to the steadfast and objective stance of his newspaper on government policies. Whenever the Daily Jang expressed dissent against governmental decisions, it faced repercussions such as bans on the release of government advertisements or restrictions on the allocation of newsprint quotas. Despite these pressures, Mir Saheb remained resolute in upholding the principles of a free press and played a pivotal role in shaping the journalistic landscape in Pakistan.

Narrating one such anecdote, Senior General Manager Special Reports, Jang Media Group, Haleem Qureshi, states, “Once I found Mir Saheb in a distressing mood. On inquiry, he shared his difficulties in getting his newsprint consignment released, which was stuck at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT). Coincidentally, I had a good relationship with Admiral Arshad, who was the Chairman of KPT at that time. Without delay, I called him and apprised him of the predicament. In response, he expressed his willingness to meet Mir Saheb personally to resolve the matter. Mir Saheb declined the idea to trouble others, and he went to meet the chairman himself, asserting that it was his problem.”

After a brief meeting, accompanied by a cup of tea, the chairman promptly resolved the issue. “Mir Saheb expressed gratitude, and his surprise heightened when the chairman accompanied us downstairs. Observing Mir Saheb’s satisfied expression, I remarked, ‘It was a gesture of respect for Jang and, more importantly, for you Mir Saheb, as you always upheld the principles of press freedom.”

Narrating another interesting anecdote, Haleem Qureshi says, in 1985, Mahmood Sham served as the editor of Jang. “I approached Mir Saheb to convey that the Writers Forum intended to present him with an award in recognition of his significant contributions in the field of journalism. Qazi Abdul Majeed Abid was also nominated for this honour, acknowledging his exemplary service to the Ibrat newspaper.”

“During the award event preparations, I suggested to Mir Saheb to wear a Sherwani for the occasion. Initially, he resisted the idea, but eventually agreed. The Chairman of the Award Committee was Hakeem Said, with members including S H Hashmi, Raees Amrohi, Dr Jamil Jalibi, Hashim Raza, and also the then Provincial Minister Dost Mohammad Faizi.

The Chief Guest for the event was Justice Abdul Hayee Qureshi, and Mir Saheb, accompanied by his family, attended the ceremony. The award ceremony turned out to be a resounding success. When Mir Saheb received the award, tears welled up in his eyes. He did not even remove the turban he wore for the occasion, highlighting the profound emotional impact of the recognition.”

Mir Saheb devoted his life to serve the journalism field. His contemporaries recognised him for his journalistic qualities. According to Haleem Qureshi, in one of his speeches, Hakeem Said once remarked, “I wanted to be a journalist, but I became a Hakeem. Mir Saheb wanted to be a Hakeem, but he became a journalist. Yet, being in the right place, Mir Saheb’s contributions to the field of journalism are unparalleled.”

The above statement was also endorsed by Hakeem Said’s daughter Sadia Rashid at a recent event at Karachi Press Club on Jan 23, 2024, where she was conferred the Life Memebership of the press club. “My father wanted to be a journalist, but he became Hakeem. In order to satiate his journalistic instict he wrote many articles in various newspapers. He had close assoiation with Mir Kahlil-ur-Rahman and he always cherished this relationship with profound love,” she recollected.

Well known scholar and poet Raees Amrohi, whose poetic couplets had a permanent presence in Jang, expressed similar sentiments while acknowledging that he acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience with Mir Saheb. Qazi Abdul Majeed Abid also acknowledged his indebtedness to Mir Saheb for the invaluable knowledge he gained in the field. He regarded Mir Saheb as a helpful individual who played a pivotal role in his intellectual growth and understanding of the domain.

Mir Saheb was an avid listener of Naats, often attending Naat competitions and award ceremonies. Qureshi recalls that once he informed Mir Saheb about an event at Metropolitan School that featured a Naat competition and award ceremony. Mir Sahib graciously accepted the invitation, participated in the event, listened to the children’s Naats, and distributed awards among them. He was so carried away by the performance of children and school’s staff efforts, that he remarked, “This school will rise, In Sha Allah.” Today, that school has evolved into a college with several branches across Karachi.

Mir Saheb, a simple and devout person, was deeply committed to the welfare of people in general and his employees in particular. He had maintained a policy of non-interference in others’ work, giving everyone the freedom to work. Qureshi says, being in the company of Mir Sahib since the 1960s, he was the sole young employee working closely with him. Despite being Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Mir Sahib never issued direct orders to the editors; instead, when presented with material for publication, he would write on it, “If you think it is worthy, go ahead and publish it.” This approach was a significant aspect of his leadership style.

Mir Saheb was known for his exceptional qualities of hunting good talent. He had gathered a galaxy of writers and editors of his time in his newspaper. Well-known names of the industry like Majeed Nizami, Ibrahim Jalees, Shafi Aqeel, Inaam Durani, and Raees Amrohi - all noteworthy personalities in their own right - they all worked and relished the time they spent with Mir Saheb.

Mir Saheb had a unique approach to handling mistakes of his employees, characterized by an absence of scolding, even in the face of serious errors. Recounting an incident, veteran journalist Safoora Khiri, known for her insightful features in Jang on various socio-economic issues, shares her experience: “Once, I mistakenly placed a wrong caption under a photograph of Indira Gandhi. The next day, Mir Saheb expressed his displeasure. However, instead of reprimanding me, he simply showed me the caption I had written and advised me to be more careful in the future.”

Although Safoora Khiri didn’t have frequent interactions with Mir Saheb and their encounters were typically limited to exchanging greetings, she recalls a distinctive trait of his character. Whenever Mir Saheb visited the newsroom, she observed him picking up discarded papers from the floor-pages that had been used briefly by others. Mir Saheb would meticulously straighten these pages and repurpose them for writing messages to his staff or drafting small news items to be sent to the reporter’s room. This gesture exemplified Mir Saheb’s resourcefulness and a hands-on approach to his work environment.

When asked about the beats assigned to women during Mir Saheb’s era at Jang, Safoora noted that women’s coverage was often confined to areas such as beauty parlors, interior decoration, cooking, and social events. However, those women who aspired to make a substantial impact were given ample opportunities by Mir Saheb. Individuals like Saeeda Afzal earned a commendable reputation through their exemplary work.

Reflecting on her own contributions during her tenure at Jang, Safoora Khairi takes pride in having written articles and features on a wide range of topics, with the exception of politics and religion. One notable piece she recalls is her feature on food adulteration. In this regard, she shares an interaction with Shafiq Paracha, the Deputy Director of the Food Department, addressing the lack of an effective food inspection system. Her half-page feature, published in Jang, shed light on issues such as papaya seeds mixed with black pepper and tea leaves adulterated through similar means. The feature resonated well with readers, demonstrating Safoora’s commitment to addressing important societal concerns through her journalistic work.

Safoora shared another insightful anecdote, recalling an incident when she wrote a feature on the challenging conditions faced by patients in the Civil Hospital. The headline, “Is the hospital a medical facility or an orphanage,” drew Mir Saheb’s attention. Instead of scolding her, he expressed concern about the strongly worded headline for a government-run healthcare institution. Mir Saheb’s guidance served as a valuable lesson for Safoora, emphasizing that issues could be addressed without resorting to harsh language.

In a similar vein, Safoora recounted another report that garnered severe criticism and raised concerns for Mir Saheb. On Women’s Day, she received an invitation from Shamim Kazmi, a renowned businesswoman and women’s rights activist, to attend a hi-tea at Shezan Hotel. The gathering included prominent women from the elite class discussing the theme of adopting simplicity in life and promoting local Pakistani products. However, Safoora observed that despite the topic, the majority of women were adorned in imported clothing, jewelry, and perfumes.

Reporting her observations as a news story, Safoora faced criticism from Mir Saheb after one of the dignitaries who attended the event lodged a complaint. Mir Saheb questioned her coverage, highlighting the objections raised by the dignitary. This incident educated her about the delicate balance between reporting the truth and navigating potential sensitivities in journalism.

When questioned about the disparities between journalism during her era and the present day, and the perceived shortcomings in contemporary journalism, Safoora Khairi expressed profound dissatisfaction with the current state of the profession. “Journalism seems to have lost its essence; nowadays, everyone claims to be a journalist. A genuine journalist is actively involved in the field. Today, individuals wielding a microphone declare themselves journalists. Anchors have taken on the role of investigators, often lacking decorum in posing relevant questions. Many lack the necessary knowledge, research and background, a deficiency also noticeable in reporters conducting live coverage on television channels. There is a conspicuous absence of ethical standards.”

Addressing the issue of freedom of speech and the contemporary media landscape, Safoora observed that the level of freedom enjoyed in the past surpasses the current state. Today, she notices a covert restriction on media, with instances where channels and newspapers are prohibited from printing the names or pictures of certain individuals-a restraint not witnessed even during periods of dictatorship, when revolutionary ideas found expression in poetry or opinion pieces. Urdu newspapers, including Jang, played a pivotal role in disseminating information, educating the masses, and shaping public opinion by publishing the works of prominent figures such as Nasir Kazmi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Ehsan Danish, and Ahmed Faraz. The current situation, according to Safoora, falls short of being characterized as genuine freedom of speech in any conceivable manner.