Renowned journalist and former caretaker federal minister for information and postal service Arif Nizami, on Wednesday, passed away in Lahore.
According to the details, the news of his demise was confirmed by his nephew Babar Nizami, who said he was under treatment at a hospital for the last two weeks after he had suffered a heart attack. He said the veteran journalist was shifted to an ICU after the heart attack and could not be recovered since.
Arif Nizami had served as a caretaker federal minister in the cabinet of former caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso in 2013. He was the son of Hameed Nizami, the founder Nawai Waqt.
Moreover, the funeral prayers of the deceased will be performed at 8pm at Allah Akbar Masjid in Defence. He will be laid to rest at the Miani Sahib Graveyard of Lahore.
The Chairperson and Managing Director of Nawai Waqt Group Rameeza Majid Nizami has expressed condolences on the demise of Arif Nizami:
Condolences keep pouring in on the demise of veteran journalist. Various political figures including Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Fawad Chaudhary, Shehbaz Sharif and Murtaza Wahab, taking it to Twitter, offered their deep condolences on the loss.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, reacting to the journalist's death, said: "Saddened to learn of the passing of veteran journalist, editor, and political commentator Arif Nizami."
"My condolences and prayers go to his family," he added.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif said he was "deeply shocked" to learn that Nizami was no more.
"With him an era of old school journalism has come to an end. As a journalist, editor, and anchor, he was second to none. May Allah rest his soul in peace!" he stated.
Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said Nizami was an icon in the field of journalism and had always preferred substance over sensationalism.
"May Allah Ta’ala bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family," Murtaza added.