He looked beyond the horizon

Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah inaugurated Dawn as a weekly newspaper, in Delhi. The newspaper was sponsored by a compatriot, Sir Abdullah Haroon, before Pakistan came into being. Mr M. A. Zuberi was one of the pre-eminent journalists at Dawn. After Indo-Pakistan subcontinent was divided, the Quaid asked Haroons, who owned a press - Herald - to start publishing Dawn as a daily from Karachi, in order to project the newly born Muslim State. Altaf Husain, a columnist in the Statesman, in Bengal and M. A. Zuberi, in Dawn, had established their credentials before partition. The Quaid who knew them both personally, appointed them as editor and assistant editor, respectively, of the paper in Karachi.
The Dawn, which had started from scratch at Karachi, soon became a leading newspaper for the country's socio-politico-economic fabric. The paper became known for its news and views, and Mr Zuberi, for his editorials. It was at this time when I called on Altaf Husain (in early 1962) that I personally met Mr Zuberi. I was then a columnist ( a freelance journalist) and was writing columns for various newspapers. Mr Altaf Husain looked at Mr Zuberi and asked me, "Why not write for Dawn too?" I exclaimed, "Why not!": And thus I wrote my first article in Dawn on 18-05-1962 (titled Tax Polices) which was published on the editorial page, duly edited by Mr Zuberi. After a week or so, I got a cheque of Rs 8 for the article. I called Mr Zuberi to thank him. He replied, "Any article that Dawn selects to publish is paid and if the article is not worth publishing, Dawn does not publish. So you don't have to thank me." I responded, "I also don't write if I am not paid and advise others too not to write if they are not paid and the newspapers not to publish any article unless it is worth publishing." These payments, infact, make writers good writers, and newspapers good newspapers. I continue to write for Dawn and merrily get paid for my articles.
The Dawn continued to develop a reputation for its socio-politico-economic contribution to the society. It wrote whatever I thought was right, irrespective of the content and for and against whom!
Mohammad Shoaib, the Finance Minister during the tenure of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, did not much appreciate the writings of Dawn. Shoaib who had worked for the World Bank for many years, intervened on behalf of Ayub Khan and told Mr Zuberi not to indulge in what "the Government" did not appreciate. Mr Zuberi was known as sharply observant, strong, often blunt and fearless. In his bluntness he remarked, "A newspaper is neither a friend nor an enemy of any body; it is its own friend or enemy; it is only a friend of the society....." Mr Shoaib did not like this bluntness. And so, the matter went on and on: Dawn went on writing what it thought to be relevant and right and in particular Mr Zuberi continued to write his hard hitting editorials.
And lo and behold! "the Government" decided to remove both Mr Altaf Husain and Mr Zuberi from the Dawn. However, in "their wisdom" they negotiated with them and the two decided to resign (instead of being dismissed). On resignation, the Government offered financial, commercial and industrial licenses and, among others, ministerial positions to them. Altaf Husain opted to become a Minister (for Industry and later Interior). Mr Zuberi was not, perhaps, sure of what to do. Among others, I believe, he called on me to discuss and I advised none of the commercial licenses, or a ministerial position. As I recall, he was stunned and asked me, "Then what?" I said, "You should do what you know best: you don't know how to run a business enterprise, or a ministerial position. You are a newspaper man; so ask for a declaration of a paper." "Paper?" he asked, "they don't like me to be a newspaper man." I responded, "Not the type of newspaper they don't like, but a different newspaper." "What different newspaper?" he said. "Business, Finance... like the Financial Times," I replied. "Will they sanction it?" he asked. I said, "Yes, they will; refuse any other offer and stick to it! Shoaib is a practical man. He will do it." I also believed that Mr Zuberi had already made up his mind for a newspaper of the type we discussed. Perhaps, among others, he wanted affirmations from entrepreneurs. It took a long time, but eventually he succeeded in securing the declaration of Business Recorder - a paper regarding socio-politico-economy, of its own type, which has now no parallel.
Business Recorder is now being published with a difference. It has been taking up issues of great importance - on business, economy, and entrepreneurship - not to speak of taxation. Ghulam Ishaq Khan, a veteran of his time, as Finance Minister once remarked, "What Business Recorder is doing for business, no businessman, or business organisation is doing - nay - Socio-economic development of the country, on the whole."
Mr N. M. Uquaili, then, was Chairman PICIC. After Mr Shoaib, he was being tipped as the next Finance Minister. Mr Uquaili, in his own right, was a great banker, though a little hard headed. He did or said something which was not well regarded by many! However, none picked up the courage to say anything against him. Mr Zuberi, as a newspaper man of eminence, known particularly for his editorials, came out with that "famous editorial":
(In taza khudaun main Bara sub say Picic hai)
(Among the recent lords, Picic is the biggest)
And then the incredible happened! Mr Uquaili's promotion as Finance Minister was suspended; at least postponed. This episode demonstrated not only the influence of the Business Recorder but also showed that without the paper's support the Finance Minister may not be able to perform his duties effectively. I was Mr Zuberi's neighbour for a long time in Garden East and used to meet, talk and discuss with him regularly. After this editorial, I went to his house and asked "What next?" He said, "You'll see!" - and what I saw was Mohammad Shoaib and Uquaili entering his house. A lot of discussion took place. Among others, Mr Zuberi reiterated his stance: "A newspaper is nobody's friend or enemy; it is its own friend and enemy. I write not because I like or dislike something or someone. I write what is right like a good editor - nay a good citizen - "Mr Uquaili eventually became the Finance Minister, but with Mr Zuberi's blessings!
One can write a lot about Business Recorder and Mr Zuberi; suffice it to say that Mr Zuberi has left a great institution in Business Recorder. A newspaper and Aaj Television News. His two daughters, Darakshan and Afshan, and three sons, Wamiq, Arshad, and Asif Zuberi are all well educated and well groomed. They are capable of giving continuity to Mr Zuberi's vision for a bright future:
(Look beyond the horizon)