Jang Group publisher Mir Javed ur Rahman passes away after battle with lung cancer

KARACHI: Chairman and printer, publisher of the Jang Group, Mir Javed ur Rahman, the eldest son of the late visionary Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman, and elder brother of Jang Geo Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, passed away in Karachi on Tuesday.

He had been under treatment at a private hospital in Karachi and had been battling lung cancer. 

Mir Javed ur Rahman had inherited from his father, Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman, the twin qualities of being a fearless journalist and someone who would relentlessly pursue the truth. 

Under his visionary leadership, the Jang Group became the leading media house in Pakistan, operating newspapers, magazines, and TV channels across the country. 

The Jang Group, under the guidance of Mir Javed ur Rahman, learned to stand up for the truth despite severe economic pressures exerted on it by several powerful individuals over the past few decades. 

Mir Javed ur Rahman instilled the culture of free expression at the Jang Group and imprinted several important legacies on the heart of the organisation, chief of them being the value of service to the people. 

Today, the secret to the success of the Jang Group lies in the professionalism of its journalists, analysts and opinion writers, who have followed in the footsteps of Mir Javed ur Rahman to fearlessly speak truth to power. 

President Alvi offers his condolences over demise of Mir Javed ur Rahman

President Arif Alvi on Tuesday afternoon offered sincere condolences to the Rahman family over the demise of Mir Javed ur Rahman and prayed for the departed soul. 

Mir Javed ur Rahman has unparalleled contributions for journalism in Pakistan, the president said in his condolence message on the demise of the Jang Group chief.

"How sad. Mir Javed Rehman passed away. Very soft spoken and nice man. Had known him and his family all my life. Talked to family yesterday to find out about his health. May Allah give them the strength to bear this loss," he tweeted.

'Mir Javed ur Rahman's demise end of an era in journalism'

PPP Punjab President Qamar Zaman Qaira has offered his condolences to the Rahman family on the demise of Mir Javed ur Rahman, remembering Mir Javed ur Rahman as a leader of journalists. 

"Mir Javed ur Rahman led the Jang Group after the demise of his father. The demise of Mir Javed ur Rahman heralds the end of an era in fearless journalism," Qaira told Geo News in his condolence message.

'Mir Javed ur Rahman's services for Pakistan can never be forgotten'

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif also offered his condolences over the demise of Mir Javed ur Rahman, saying that Mir Javed ur Rahman had the honour of leading a group that had always stood by Pakistan.

"The services of Mir Javed ur Rahman for journalism and for the people of Pakistan cannot be forgotten. The demise of Mir Javed ur Rahman has created a void that can never be filled," Sharif said in his message. 

'Mir Javed ur Rahman will always be remembered'

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb also offered the condolences of her party to the Rahman family on the demise of Mir Javed ur Rahman, saying that Mir Javed ur Rahman gave his life to the pursuit of the truth.

"The tireless efforts of Mir Javed ur Rahman for the promotion of fearless journalism in Pakistan will always be remembered. We pray that the Almighty grants his family the patience to bear this loss," she said.

'Mir Javed ur Rahman was like an elder brother'

Senior journalist Waqar Azimi, commenting on the demise of Mir Javed ur Rahman, said that the news had come as a big shock since the deceased was like an elder brother to him. 

"This is a very disappointing news. He was like my elder brother. I cannot belive that he’s not with us, it is a big shock. Mir Javed ur Rehman was a very good man," Azimi said while talking to Geo News.

"He used to get tear eyed when we were sitting and talking about religion. He was a creative-minded journalist who promoted Urdu journalism," the senior journalist said reflecting on his time with the deceased.