Irshad Ahmed Haqqani (September 6, 1928 – January 24, 2010) was a senior editor, veteran journalist, and prominent columnist for the Jang Group of Newspapers. In 1996-97, he was also Federal Information Minister in Malik Meraj Khalid’s caretaker government.
His column series has been published in various volumes in Urdu. Even after his death, his famous column “Heraf Temana” continued to have a large influence on Pakistanis, particularly intellectuals and politicians. He often published in his column a letter from a renowned politician on a national issue, and therefore the letters of other politicians and intellectuals published in his columns sparked a national political debate. He frequently chastised General Muhammad Zia Ul Haq and General Pervaiz Musharraf’s Martial Law regime.
Early Life
Haqqani was born in Kasur on September 6, 1928. He began his career as a lecturer at the Government College in Kasur and retired as its principal. He was also a history professor at Islamia College in Kasur for many years. He joined Jamaat-i-Islami and worked as the editor of its journal Tasneem for a while. However, he and a group of prominent scholars and ideologues led by Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi left the party after disagreements with the party’s founder, Maulana Maududi, over the party’s aim of bringing about the Islamic revolution through the ballot box. Disagreements erupted at the Jamaat’s Machhi Goth assembly in 1957.
Career
Haqqani worked for several publications during his career and was affiliated with the Jang Group of publications from 1981 till his death, where he became a senior editor of the national daily, Daily Jang. Aside from his popular daily column titled ‘Harf-e-Tamanna,’ he was well-regarded among all schools of thought, including scholars and politicians. He established new trends in newspaper column writing in Pakistan as a senior editor of the Daily Jang.
He used to include criticism in his columns in order to present solutions. Despite his criticism of the General, ex-President Pervaiz Musharraf praised his columns. Haqqani was a columnist-turned-educator who affected nearly three generations of Pakistanis. Throughout his career, he provided instruction and awareness to both children and the elderly. He was a strong supporter of the downtrodden and disadvantaged, and he advocated for the causes of Palestine, Kashmir, and Vietnam. He had extensive knowledge in every field. He advised researchers and students to perform research on his work in order to preserve his journalistic achievements.
Death
Haqqani died of heart disease on January 24, 2010, at the age of 81. His funeral took place in Lahore, Pakistan. He was laid to rest in Daimul Hazoori, Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan, at his ancestral graveyard. His survivors include two sons and two daughters.