Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman

Mir Khalil ur Rahman (19 July 1918 – 25 January 1992) was the founder and editor of the Jang Group of Newspapers, which currently publishes many Urdu and English newspapers in Pakistan. A self-made newspaper magnate, he ranks among the most successful newspaper entrepreneurs of Pakistan.[2][3]

Mir Khalil ur Rehman
Born19 July 1918 (1918-07-19)
Gujranwala, Punjab, British India[1]
Died25 January 1992 (1992-01-26)
Karachi, Pakistan
Other namesMKR
CitizenshipPakistani
Occupation(s)Journalist, Business Executive
Known forfounder, chairman and editor of the Jang Group of Newspapers
SpouseMehmooda Khalil ur Rahman (m. 1943 - 1992)
RelativesMir Javed ur Rahman (Son), Farida Hasan (Daughter), Rukhsana Qazi (Daughter), Samina Rahman (Daughter), Gulafshan Alavi (Daughter), Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman (Son), Salma Khalil (Daughter), Tahira Baqa (Sister)

Early life and education

Mir Khalil ur Rahman was born on 19 July 1918 to a Kashmiri business family, which migrated from Kashmir Valley to Gujranwala, Punjab, due to the economic situation, where he was born. [4] He received his basic schooling from here, matriculated from Fatehpuri Muslim High School in Delhi and received a degree from Daryaganj Commercial College, Delhi. During the Second World War, his parents moved to New Delhi, the capital of India. It was here where he discovered his love for journalism. The world of newspapers attracted him far more than the dull books of accounting. He had a passion for reading and writing and a fondness for newspapers and magazines. He sat, glued to his radio set, listening to the latest war news.[2]

In 1940, when he was still a college student, he started and founded a newspaper for the Muslims of British India during World War II in Delhi. He called it Jang, or War. Some of his critics said at that time, that he encouraged the war hysteria by selecting a name like that for his newspaper but Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman made it clear that he was doing it for the soldiers and not to encourage the Second World War.[1]

Career

After the independence of Pakistan was declared on 14 August 1947, Mir Khalil moved to Karachi, the former capital of the newly created country at the time, and started publishing the Daily Jang from there which was funded by a loan of 5000 rupees from Abdul Ghani Barq of Ferozsons Publishers of Lahore. Pakistan's first Governor General and founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah was delighted by this move and offered the government's help in running it. Mir, however, declined the offer saying that the freedom of the press was his motto and goal for journalism in Pakistan. Mir also helped in the founding of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors. He opposed tooth and nail, any government measures or actions which curbed the freedom of the press in Pakistan.[1]

Death

Mir Khalil ur Rahman died from cancer on 25 January 1992 in Karachi at the age of 73.

Personal life

Mir Khalil ur Rahman was married to Mehmooda Khalil ur Rahman (1926 - 2021) from 1943 until his death in 1992. Together they had 7 children, including Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and Mir Javed ur Rahman. He had a sister named Tahira Baqa.

References
  1. "Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Founder of Jang Group of Newspapers". ResearchPedia.Info. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  2. "Tribute to Mir Khalil-Ur-Rahman (Special Edition 2009)". Jang.com.pk. 14 August 1947. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  3. "Journalist Mir Jamil dies - Newspaper". Dawn.com. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  4. "A Tribute to Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman" (PDF). The News. Pakistan. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2020.


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