Events

Rochdale (Saif-ur-Rehman / Special Correspondent): The Press Club of Pakistan UK, in collaboration with Rochdale Council, hosted the Third Mahmood Hashmi Memorial Awards Ceremony in Rochdale, recognising ten veteran journalists for their outstanding contributions to journalism.

The annual awards were established in memory of the late Mahmood Hashmi, widely regarded as Britain’s first Urdu journalist, to honour his remarkable services to journalism and education. To qualify for the award, nominees must have at least 20 years of professional journalistic experience. The initiative was launched four years ago with the support of Rochdale Council.

The ceremony was presided over by Mahmood Khan, President of the Press Club of Pakistan UK. The chief guests included Councillor Faisal Rana, Mayor of Rochdale, and Ms Misbah Noreen, Community Welfare Attaché at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Manchester.

Among the distinguished attendees were Councillor Adalat Ali, Deputy Leader of Rochdale Council, former Mayor Councillor Shakeel Ahmed, and Lady Mayoress Mrs Iram Faisal Rana. The event was hosted by Nasrullah Khan Mughal.

This year’s Mahmood Hashmi Memorial Awards were presented to Arshad Rachyal, Javed Inayat, Ejaz Fazal, Shafqat Mirza, Shafqat Nazir Rana, Sarfraz Tabassum, Shah Bano, Abrar Hussain, and Talat Farooq Awan, in recognition of their decades of dedicated service to journalism.

Addressing the gathering, Mayor Councillor Faisal Rana said Rochdale has a long-standing tradition of supporting initiatives related to literature, arts and journalism. He noted that such projects encourage creativity and recognise the valuable contributions of local communities. He further emphasised that Rochdale Council has consistently promoted harmony among its diverse communities and expressed pride that the Mahmood Hashmi Memorial Awards originated in Rochdale. Paying tribute to the late Mahmood Hashmi’s contributions to journalism and education, he reaffirmed the Council’s continued support for the awards.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Misbah Noreen, Community Welfare Attaché at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Manchester, commended the Press Club of Pakistan UK for promoting Urdu journalism in Britain. She said the organisation has inspired a new generation to take an interest in journalism. She observed that many British-born Pakistanis are naturally inclined towards English-language journalism and stressed the importance of encouraging them to embrace Urdu journalism as well. Describing Urdu as a rich language shaped by many linguistic traditions, she also reaffirmed the Consulate General’s commitment to supporting the Pakistani community in the UK.

In his presidential address, Mahmood Khan thanked Rochdale Council for its continued cooperation and paid special tribute to Councillor Adalat Ali, whose personal commitment, he said, played a key role in making the awards possible. He highlighted that the Press Club of Pakistan UK has launched several welfare initiatives for journalists, with the Mahmood Hashmi Memorial Awards becoming one of its flagship projects, now entering its fourth successful year. He reiterated the Club’s commitment to safeguarding journalists’ interests and providing professional training through community collaboration.

Explaining the objectives of the awards, Nasrullah Khan Mughal said the initiative was created to acknowledge the invaluable services of experienced journalists across the United Kingdom. Every year, ten senior journalists are selected for the honour.

Renowned scholar Yaqub Nizami paid tribute to the late Mahmood Hashmi, recalling his exceptional contributions to journalism and education. He noted that Hashmi graduated from Aligarh Muslim University and began his career as a teacher at Jammu College before moving to Britain, where he continued teaching. Nizami explained that Hashmi planned to launch Britain’s first Urdu newspaper, Mashriq, on 1 April 1960, but delayed its publication by a week after friends pointed out that the date coincided with April Fool’s Day. Consequently, the newspaper was officially launched on 8 April 1960, becoming the first Urdu newspaper published in Britain and providing the Urdu-speaking community with access to both British and international news. He also highlighted Hashmi’s contribution to children’s education through the preparation of an Urdu primer, saying his services would always be remembered with honour.

Saif-ur-Rehman, Coordinator of the Press Club of Pakistan UK’s Award Committee, said the awards were established to promote quality journalism in Britain through a transparent and merit-based selection process. He explained that the independent Award Committee, chaired by senior journalist Zafar Tanveer and comprising Anwar Shad, Aitazaz Asim, Razia Shamim, and Muhammad Zameer Butt, operates independently of the Press Club. He emphasised that none of the committee members belongs to the Press Club of Pakistan UK and that the Club has never interfered in the selection process. He also thanked Rochdale Council for funding the awards.

Former President of the Press Club of Pakistan UK, Mahboob Elahi Butt, said the awards provide an important platform for bringing together journalists from different organisations. He remarked that while journalists report on everyone else’s stories, their own achievements often go unnoticed due to the lack of unity among journalistic organisations. He praised the efforts of Imtiaz Feroz Gondal, Consul General of Pakistan in Manchester, for promoting greater cooperation among journalists and pledged his full support for all initiatives aimed at strengthening unity within the profession. He also paid tribute to Arshad Rachyal for his longstanding services and assured him of the Club’s support in fostering greater collaboration among journalists.

The ceremony was attended by Dr Parvez Bhatti, Raja Khalid Khan, and Ayub Mirza from the Newcastle Branch of the Press Club of Pakistan UK; Javed Inayat and Sarfraz Tabassum from the Leicester Branch; and distinguished scholar Talat Gul from the London Branch. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mahboob Elahi Butt, who expressed his appreciation to all guests, award recipients and organisers for making the ceremony a success.