Aslam Azhar

Aslam Azhar
Born September 1932[1]
Lahore, Pakistan
Died 29 Dec 2015 at age 83[2]
Islamabad, Pakistan
Nationality Pakistani
Occupation television broadcasting
Title Chairman and Managing Director
Pakistan Television Corporation, Lahore Center-1964

Aslam Azhar (Urdu: اسلم اظہر‎; September 1932 – 29 December 2015) was a Pakistan Television executive, considered to be the "father of Pakistan Television".[1][3] He was the first Chairman and Managing Director of PTV first appointed during Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan) government in November 1964 when PTV Lahore Center first started broadcasting and went on the air. He was awarded the Tamgha-i-Pakistan (Medal of Pakistan) for his pioneering services in the television broadcasting field by the President of Pakistan.[1]

Early life and career

Aslam Azhar was born in Lahore, Pakistan as a son of a government servant during British Raj. He studied law at Cambridge University and later worked for the Burmah Oil Company. He was also interested in theater, and met his wife Nasreen Jan through a theater group.[1] Meanwhile, Pakistani government wanted to set up a television service in the country. The Japanese were given the contract to set up a pilot television station in Lahore. Aslam Azhar was asked to come to Lahore from Karachi and start the television station in Lahore. He convinced the renowned writers Ashfaq Ahmed and Anwar Sajjad to write for television. Faiz Ahmad Faiz, his favorite poet, became his friend, too. Surrounded by legendary literary figures and great actors, musicians and singers, Aslam Azhar created an environment for great television in 1964. He said that, in those days, commitment counted. Those people were committed and devoted. It was a very cultured society. But over the years, like everywhere else in the world, Pakistan had become a consumer society and television plays a consumer product. He had a reputation of being honest to the core and respected by all at Pakistan Television.[1]

Death

He died on 29 December 2015 at the age of 83. His funeral was performed on 30 Dec 2015 at Islamabad, Pakistan.[4][5] He has a son, Arieb Azhar, who is a musician.

See also

Pakistan Television Corporation

Awards and recognition

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Aslam Azhar - A Hard but Happy Life; published 15 January 2011,Dawn Karachi newspaper article. Retrieved 6 June 2016
  2. ↑ http://www.radio.gov.pk/11-Apr-2016/report, Tributes paid to Aslam Azhar, Radio Pakistan website, Published 11 April 2016, Retrieved 6 June 2016
  3. ↑ Enthralling content: Aslam Azhar recites Ghalib; published 20 April 2014, International Express Tribune newspaper. Retrieved 6 June 2016
  4. ↑ Founding Father of PTV Aslam Azhar passes away, arynews.tv website, published 29 Dec 2015, Retrieved 6 June 2016
  5. ↑ http://www.radio.gov.pk/29-Dec-2015/former-md-ptv-aslam-azhar-passes-away, Radio Pakistan website, Published 29 Dec 2015, Retrieved 6 June 2016
  6. ↑ http://www.janubaba.com/c/forum/topic/20869/Lollywood/Nigar_Awards__Complete_History, Millennium Award (Nigar Awards) for Aslam Azhar, Retrieved 13 March 2016
  7. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/353924/investiture-ceremony-67-to-receive-national-awards-today/, Aslam Azhar's Sitara-i-Imtiaz Award info on The Express Tribune newspaper, Published 23 March 2012, Retrieved 12 July 2016
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