Ahfazur Rehman is a renowned Pakistani journalist and writer who has made significant contributions to the country’s literature and journalism. He has written extensively on various topics, including politics, culture, and social issues. His journalism and writing have gained him distinction and respect in the field.
Early Life and Education
Ahfazur Rahman was born in Jabalpur, India in 1942. When he was five years old in 1947, he moved to Pakistan with his family. He received many awards for his writing during his secondary education. Since his childhood, Sahir Ludhyanvi, Krishan Chander, and other influential members of the Progressive Writers’ Movement have influenced him. He became a student leader of the left-wing National Students Federation (NSF) and also participated in the student protests against General Ayub Khan’s regime in 1962 and 1964. In 1969 He began working for the Foreign Languages Press in Beijing, China.
Activism
Rahman began his activism upon returning to Pakistan from China at the end of 1972. He organised the press freedom movement during the reign of General Zia ul Haq. He was one of the three journalists that fled to support the movement and was ultimately prisoned.
In 1977 Ahfazur Rahman was one of the first journalists detained in Karachi during a press freedom protest. In 1978, Rahman was detained again when more than 120 journalists were detained in Lahore and taken to different jails in Punjab. Later, he was freed but given a six-month ban from Punjab. In July 1978, journalists gathered in Karachi for court arrests, while Rehman went underground to organise court arrest groups composed of journalists, workers, peasants, and students.
Since he was placed on the blacklist by all major publications and magazines after the movement came to an end, Rahman faced financial difficulties . Finally, in 1985, he was hired by the Beijing Foreign Language Press, where he had previously worked for sixteen years.
Journalistic Career
In 1993, Ahfazur Rahman returned to Pakistan and started working as the magazine editor for Daily Jang. Later, in 2002, he was elected as the president of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), where he worked for rights of workers. He was fired for his activism but later found work at Daily Express where he writes a weekly column.
Writing Career
In 2008, he launched numerous books at the Arts Council Karachi, and in 2013, he published a book on poetry. He again published a book in 2015 that details the struggle for press freedom against the Zia-ul-Haq regime.
Memorial Award
In 2022, In association with the Ahfaz ur Rahman Award Organising Committee and the Karachi Arts Council, the Rahman family launched the Ahfazur Rahman Award for Courage and Freedom of Expression. The honour is given to people who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and dedication to freedom of expression. Mr. Amar Jaleel received the first lifetime achievement award, and journalist Ms. Asma Shirazi received the contemporary award.