KARACHI - Veteran journalist and Assistant Editor at daily Dawn Sabihuddin Ghausi alias Naeem passed away peacefully during his sleep here early on Thursday morning. He was 65. He was laid to rest after Zuhr prayers at the Milk Plant Graveyard on Sir Shah Suleman Road, near Hasan Square. His Fateha and Soyem will be held on Saturday after Asr prayers at the Ghafooria Mosque (Pakola Wali Masjid) in Garden East. He left behind besides a widow, two elder brothers Fasihuddin Ghausi and Misbahuddin Ghausi in Pakistan and an elder sister in India and a host of his admirers among members of the journalists' fraternity and business community. Ghausi, after suffering a haemorrhage on February 8 was rushed to the Aga Khan Hospital where, failing to get due care from the hospital, he was shifted to the National Medical Centre. After about two weeks medication he was discharged after 99.98 per cent recovery. Ghausi hailed from an educated family from Ahmadabad (Gujarat, India) where his father was a Sessions Judge in Junagarh High Court and before forcible Indian annexation of the state of Junagarh he used to be the Revenue Commissioner in Manawader State. After the Indian occupation) the family migrated to Pakistan. Ghausi was a man of head and heart, throughout his life he remained committed to the ideals of freedom of the Press and democratic principles and strove with the power of his pen to bring a social change in the society for a better life to teeming millions. He started his career from the Habib Bank as an officer, but finding the job against his temperament and ideals had resigned and started his journalism career in 1970 by joining daily Sun Karachi, which was then newly launched. After closure of the paper he switched over to Pakistan Press International (PPI) and before switching over to daily Dawn Karachi in 1986 he also worked for daily Muslim Islamabad (now defunct), Daily Business Recorder and Morning News Karachi. For his ideals and commitment to freedom of the Press he also suffered hardships of unemployment and imprisonment during the black era of General Zia-ul-Haq martial law but never compromised on the principles. He commanded respect from his colleagues by sheer virtue of his commitment, and a conscientious and a bold journalist. He was elected President of Karachi Union of Journalists two times and President of Karachi Press Club for four times. He was a voracious reader and had good command over Urdu and English languages. The field of economics and politics remained his forte which reflected from his articles and the current affairs programmes at different TV channels where he used to be commentator. Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marri, Minister for Health Dr Sagheer Ahmed and Minister for Katchi Abadis Rafique Engineer have expressed their deep sorrow and grief over the sad demise of senior journalist and former president Karachi Press Club Sabih Uddin Ghausi. In their separate condolence messages they said that Sabih uddin Ghausi was a man of Principle who always upheld journalistic ethics and promoted investigative reporting. They said that Ghausi's struggle for freedom of Press in the former dictatorial regime and especially his reporting on the issues in the interest of Sindh Province including NFC will always be remembered. They prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the soul of Ghausi in his eternal peace and grant courage to the widow, other relatives and friends of Ghausi to bear this irreparable loss. Large number of media man from print and electronic media, relatives, friends and admirers attended the funeral of Mr. Ghausi. Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh for political affairs Rashid Hussain Rabbani and Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Media Waqar Mehdi were also present on the occasion. Meanwhile Director General Information Public Relation Syed Safdar Ali Shah and Director Press Information S M Iqbal on behalf of Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marri and Secretary Information Naveed Kamran Baloch attended the funeral of senior journalist Sabih uddin Ghausi. They also offered their heart felt condolence on behalf of Minister Information and Secretary Information, with the relatives of late Ghausi. President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anjum Nisar, former President Siraj Qasim Teli have expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the sad demise of senior journalist Sabih uddin Ghausi. In their condolence messages to the bereaved family, they pray to the Almighty Allah to grant courage to the family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude and rest the departed soul in eternal peace.