Peshawar: Senior journalist Iqbal Riaz was passed away. He had huge experience in print journalism, wrote down his last column for Urdu daily Mashriq three days ago. Sleeting from Peshawar, Riaz was a lively member of the Pakistan Movement and amongst the youngest members of the All India Muslim Students Federation. Quickly after independence, he followed journalism efficiently and worked for newspapers like Nawa-i-Waqt and Mashriq for over 65 years.
Riaz kept a close connection with senior politicians and statesmen of the separation period and meeting many stalwarts including Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Wali Khan, Abdul Qayyum Khan and Fida Muhammad Khan. Riaz was related to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists resistance against Ziaul Haq’s martial law.
He used some weeks in jail on allegation of supporting the Pakistan National Alliance against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. A large quantity of journalists and union representatives focused the funeral on Saturday evening. It is applicable to state that no prominent government, opposition representative or official shortened at the funeral.