'This paper supports capitalism and democracy'

Ruth Dudley Edwards who wrote "The Pursuit of Reason" - the history of The Economist published on its 150th Anniversary in 1993 - was asked by a journalist for a one-sentence summary of its history. She says she should have said: "The Economist was founded in 1843 to campaign for free trade, laissez faire and individual responsibility through a medium of rational analysis applied to facts; its good fortune is that both its principles and its methods remain relevant 150 years later." I wish that the historian of Business Recorder would be able to make a similar statement whenever it is written on its golden jubilee, perhaps, in 2015.
Most probably Mohammed Ahmed Zuberi, the founding editor of Business Recorder, had not taken his inspiration from The Economist, but he sure subscribed to the same principles and methods. When I joined the Business Recorder in 1979, honestly speaking, it was more because I was rendered jobless after the closure of 'Sun', an English daily which survived only nine years, thanks to the mismanagement by its owner.
Business Recorder was a well-established, only business and finance newspaper at that time. My friend Jamil Zuberi, who was an assistant editor at Business Recorder and a good-hearted man, invited me to meet its editor, M. A. Zuberi. While at the Sun, I was a political reporter and had written a few economic and business stories just because of my interest in the political economy. I was offered the job during my first meeting with Mr Zuberi. When I asked him what was the policy of the newspaper, he had told me, "This paper supports capitalism and democracy." This was the first time I heard a senior journalist outrightly say that he supported capitalism. Although we all served the newspaper industry where owners believed in capitalism, but most were shy to say it. The majority of the English press senior journalists were, however, left of the center.
Zuberi Sahib, as he was called respectfully by other colleagues of the newspaper, was never reluctant to hire left leaning journalists. Two left leaning journalists who were employed by him on my recommendation were the late Sabihuddin Ghausi and G. N. Moghul. Both were active trade unionists also. All he asked me was if they were good reporters? I said, "I wouldn't recommend them if they were not." He gave out a big laugh and asked me to tell them to come for an interview. Of course, he consulted other senior colleagues like Qazi Abrar, Abul Akhyar, Jamil Zuberi and our chief reporter, Anwer Rajani, who all would be in the morning meetings. He was the only editor, as a matter of fact, perhaps the last one, who used to hold meetings of his reporters and assistant editors in the morning.
During my four year stint with the Business Recorder, I found Zuberi Sahib a good teacher of business and economic reporting. I cannot forget his pet question in the meeting with the reporters: "So what is your bloody means of livelihood today." Once replying to his question I proudly mentioned my exclusive lead story which was printed on that day. Zuberi Sahib replied, "In journalism, youngman, that is history. Now I am asking you, what are you working on today." That was my lesson in reporting and since then I have always felt that the much-hated morning meetings were good to keep us on our toes. He would also guide us on where to ask for additional information for the story we were working on.
The morning meetings were also meant for discussing the topics of the editorials. While Qazi Abrar, one of the most cultured and clear-headed senior journalist I had the honour of working with, used to write editorials on political issues, Jamil Zuberi would write mostly on business. But when important economic policy issues were to be commented on Zuberi Sahib would dictate the editorial. As he admired Altaf Hussain, his editor at the Dawn, I found Zuberi Sahib's style of writing also very forceful and forthright. He was not the one who would mince words in his editorials and in the meetings with the policy-makers.
I remember that one day he told us that as a reporter he covered the dinner given in honour of Quaid-e-Azam by the military officials who had opted for Pakistan. One of the officers tried to give a policy advice to the Quaid who according to Zuberi Sahib snubbed him and told all the officials who were present there that in Pakistan policies would be made by the civilian government and military has to follow them. "If you don't agree with this policy," the Quaid said, "then don't opt for Pakistan." We suggested that he should put this on record because the military has been ruling us for most of the time and interfering in state policies. Zuberi Sahib picked up the phone and rang Major General (Retd.) Shahid Hamid and reminded him of the incident. He then mentioned this incidence in an editorial and also in a PTV interview, in spite of the fact that General Zia-ul-Haq was in power those days. This was his commitment to democracy.
Zuberi Sahib was an old-fashioned journalist who did not believe in interpretive news reporting. Impressed by the Financial Times writers, once I tried to interpret a story and was unable to realise that I had also expressed my opinion. Zuberi Sahib again corrected me that if I wanted to write my opinion I should write editorials to which I readily agreed and was given an additional allowance. This issue is also being discussed at the journalists' forums these days that news reports have too much of reporters' opinion, but unfortunately there are not many veterans to correct such subjective stories.
I was still at Business Recorder when Zuberi Sahib's sons Wamiq, Arshad and Asif started coming back from the US after completing their education. One thing which impressed me greatly was Zuberi Sahib's upbringing of his children. He taught them to respect the journalists who worked for the newspaper. On the other hand I noticed that he also allowed his children enough space to hold their own views. At times this allowed us to have lively discussions. But they did not interfere with the policy or what we wrote. However, once they were trained in the field, Zuberi Sahib passed on his responsibilities to his sons in his later years.
But like all good journalists he was addicted to the profession. I last saw him in his office just a couple of months before he passed away. I had gone to meet Wamiq and on my way out wanted to wish Zuberi Sahib. I peeped into his room; he was listening to the editorials of the newspaper which were being read out to him by his secretary, as his eyes would not permit him reading like in his younger days. His son Asif told me that a couple of days before Zuberi Sahib died he asked him (Asif) to read out the newspaper to him. Not understanding what was Wikileaks he asked Asif to explain it.
It can safely be said that he has left Business Recorder as the leading financial and business newspaper of the country. The paper has become very influential and I hope that his three sons will only work towards extending the scope and influence of their father's institution. As a matter of fact, for the last few years they have been managing it quite well, as Zuberi Sahib could not give much time and attention because of his age. Hope his prodigies will keep the BR going, and keep the spirit and enthusiasm of M. A. Zuberi alive!
"Like all good journalists he was addicted to the profession. I last saw him in his office just a couple of months before he passed away. I had gone to meet Wamiq and on my way out wanted to wish Zuberi Sahib. I peeped into his room; he was listening to the editorials of the newspaper which were being read out to him by his secretary, as his eyes would not permit him reading like in his younger days".