Minhaj Barna

Minhaj Barna
منہاج برنا‬
Born Minhaj Muhammad Khan Afridi
1923
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, British India
Died 15 January 2011 (aged 89)
Nationality Pakistani
Occupation Journalist, Trade Union Leader

Minhaj Barna (born Minhaj Muhamad Khan Afridi; Urdu: منہاج برنا‬‎; 1923 – 15 January 2011) was a Pakistani veteran journalist and trade union leader.[1]

He served as a president PFUJ during his career and was also the founder of the All-Pakistan Newspaper Employees Confederation (APNEC). He was best known for his appealing leadership and challenging struggle for press freedom during the military dictatorships.

Pakistani media describe Barna as an "icon of struggle." Barna was considered a "sincere person and a conscientious, principled journalist," who not only fought for the journalists but also fought for the rights of other press employees.[2]

Barna was the elder brother of Meraj Muhammad Khan, a well-known left-wing politician.[3] Barna received the award Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by the government of Pakistan for his constitution of journalism.[4] Barna died in Islamabad on 15 January 2011.

Biography

Barna was born in 1923 in a conservative Rohilkhand Pathan family in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, British India. His family came from Qaimganj in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh. India. Barna obtained his primary education in Ahmadabad, later he moved to Bombay and worked as a teacher. After that, he went to Delhi, where he joined the Jamia Millia and received his graduation degree. He also became the member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) to fight against the British rule.[1]

Barna migrated with his family to Pakistan in 1949, where he joined several newspapers such as the Daily Imroze, the Pakistan Times and The Muslim. He also worked for the Associated Press of Pakistan news agency. It was his last assignment.[3]

His major roles were as secretary-general and president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). He was also the founder-president of All-Pakistan Newspaper Employees Confederation that includes the union of journalists and combined unions of newspaper organisations.[3]

He died at a private hospital on 15 January 2011. He was suffering from duodenum ulcer for long and had undergone surgery, since struggling for his life. He was buried at the Racecourse Graveyard in Rawalpindi. Pakistan.

Awards

  • Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by Pakistan Government[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Iconic fighter for press freedom dies". Tribune.com.pk. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "In footsteps of Barna: Journalists should struggle for broader social change, says Minto". Tribune.com.pk. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Icon of struggle Barna is dead". Daily Dawn.com. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  4. 1 2 "The complete list of recipients of awards on Pakistan Day". Tribune.com.pk. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
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