Syed Mussarat Khalil Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — A senior journalist and columnist from Pakistan emphasized the role of media in nation building. Shakeel A. Turabi, chief editor of SABA news agency, was addressing a luncheon meeting organized in his honor by Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF) at a local restaurant here recently. “Responsible journalism is a requirement of today but the journalistic community has to come up to the expectation of their readers by carrying out their duties fearlessly,” Turabi said. Turabi appreciated the activities of PJF and thanked them for their hospitality. He assured the forum that his organization “is open and always ready to cooperate”. Earlier, PJF Chairman Amir Mohammed Khan welcomed Turabi, renowned columnist Sagheer Qamar and others who were present on the occasion. Sohail Ali Khan, press consul at the Consulate General of Pakistan; Jamil Rathore, PJF secretary-general; Sardar Mehtab, Sardar Amjad and Farhan Ahmed also attended. In his brief speech, Khan said he always became elated whenever he met a journalist “who spent his life in struggle and there are very few such journalists these days”. “Today I am feeling very energetic as I meet Turabi who faced a very hard time writing and speaking the truth,” Khan said. Turabi left for Dubai after his short visit to Saudi Arabia.
