Veteran journalist Arif Nizami passes away in Lahore

Veteran journalist and former caretaker federal minister for information and postal service Arif Nizami passed away on Wednesday in Lahore, his nephew, Babar Nizami, told Geo News.

The veteran journalist was under treatment at a hospital for the last two weeks after he had suffered a heart attack. Following the attack, he was shifted to an ICU, but he could not recover from it and breathed his last today, Babar said.

Nizami had served as a caretaker federal minister in former caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso's cabinet back in 2013. He was also associated with The Nation before he launched his own newspaper Pakistan Today.

He was the son of Hameed Nizami, the founder Nawa-i-Waqt Group of newspapers.

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.

Condolences pour in

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.

Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said he was saddened to hear about Nizami's demise, adding that it was a "personal loss" for him.

"May Allah have mercy on the deceased," he added.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said he had a long relationship with Nizami. "His father and my grandfather struggled together for Pakistan."

"He was just like a family elder for me," 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 added.

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," the spokesperson added.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said: "With deep sadness, we extend heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of senior journalist #ArifNizami."

"Our thoughts are with his family in this time of grief. His contribution to Pakistani journalism will be remembered," the spokesperson added.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed his condolences over the demise of the veteran journalist.

"May Allah bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. Ameen," the COAS sent the message via DG ISPR's official Twitter account.

Chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Asim Saleem Bajwa also expressed his condolences.