Minhaj Barna
Minhaj Barna منہاج برنا | |
|---|---|
| Born | Minhaj Muhammad Khan Afridi 1923 |
| Died | 15 January 2011 (aged 89) Islamabad,Pakistan |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist,Trade Union Leader |
| Known for | "Iconic leader of the journalist community" |
| Awards | Tamgha-i-Imtiaz(Medal of Excellence) by theGovernment of Pakistanin 2015 |
Minhaj Barna(bornMinhaj Muhamad Khan Afridi;Urdu:منہاج برنا;1923 – 15 January 2011) was aPakistaniveteranjournalistand atrade union leader.[1]Barna was Minhaj Muhammad Khan's poetic name, also calledtakhallusin Urdu language.[2]
He was best known for his inspiring leadership and unrelenting struggle for press freedom during the rules of military dictatorships in Pakistan.[3]From 1977 to 1988, duringGeneral Zia Ul-Haq's oppressive military regime, a popular slogan or battle cry was coined by the protesters just for Minhaj Barna "terey saath jeena, terey saath marna - Minhaj Barna, Minhaj Barna" (we will live or die with Minhaj Barna).[2]
Pakistani media described Barna as an "icon of struggle."[1]Abid Hassan Minto,a well-known progressive politician and constitutional expert said that Barna was considered a "sincere person and a conscientious, principled journalist," who not only fought for the journalists but also fought for the rights of other press employees.[3]
Minhaj Barna was the elder brother ofMeraj Muhammad Khan,a well-known left-wing politician.[2][1]Minhaj Barna received the awardTamgha-i-Imtiazby theGovernment of Pakistanfor his contributions to journalism in 2015.[4]
Early life and career
[edit]Minhaj Barna was born in 1923 in a conservativeRohilkhandPathanfamily inAhmedabad,Gujarat,British India.His family came from Qaimganj in theFarrukhabad districtof Uttar Pradesh. India.[1]Barna obtained his primary education in Ahmadabad, later he moved toBombayand worked as a teacher. After that, he went toDelhi,where he joined theJamia MilliaUniversity and received his graduation degree from there. He also became the member of theCommunist Party of India(CPI) to fight against the British rule of India.[1]
Minhaj Barna migrated with his family to Pakistan in 1949, where he joined several newspapers such as theDaily Imroze,thePakistan TimesandThe Muslim.He also worked for theAssociated Press of Pakistannews agency as its correspondent inLondon,England. It was his last assignment as a journalist.[2]
His major roles were as secretary-general and president of thePakistan Federal Union of Journalists(PFUJ). He was first elected for these positions in 1969. He was also the founder-president ofAll-Pakistan Newspaper Employees Confederation(APNEC) that includes the union of journalists and combined unions of newspaper organisations.[2][1]
Minhaj Barna played a key role in a historic nationwide labor strike that lasted for 10 days in 1970. As a result, an act for protection of rights of journalists was made part of the 1973Constitution of Pakistan.[1][2]Minhaj Barna's health suffered a harmful blow when he, as a trade union leader, went on the longest hunger strike that any political party leader or group had ever observed.[1]
Death and legacy
[edit]Minhaj Barna died at a private hospital inIslamabadon 15 January 2011.[1]He was suffering from duodenum ulcer in his stomach for a long time and had undergone surgery. After the surgery, he was struggling for his life. He was buried at the Racecourse Graveyard inRawalpindi.Pakistan.[1][2]Among his survivors are his daughter, Afshan Sardar, and his younger brotherMeraj Muhammad Khan.[1]
One major Pakistani newspaper says, "Barna was a man of commitment and action who remained true to his cause to the very end of his life." Veteran Pakistani journalist,I. A. Rehman,paying tribute to Minhaj Barna, called him "the battleship of Pakistan's journalist community."[1]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- Tamgha-i-Imtiaz(Medal of Excellence) by theGovernment of Pakistanfor his services to journalism in 2015.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdefghijkl"Iconic fighter for press freedom dies".The Express Tribune (newspaper).15 January 2011.Retrieved29 July2019.
- ^abcdefg"Icon of struggle Barna is dead".Dawn (newspaper).14 January 2011.Retrieved29 July2019.
- ^ab"In footsteps of Barna: Journalists should struggle for broader social change, says Minto".The Express Tribune (newspaper).17 January 2014.Retrieved29 July2019.
- ^ab"The complete list of recipients of awards on Pakistan Day".The Express Tribune (newspaper).24 March 2015.Retrieved29 July2019.