Altaf Husain

Altaf Husain (Bengali: আলতাফ হোসেইন, Urdu: الطاف حسين; 26 January 1900 – 25 May 1968) was an educationist, journalist, and Pakistan Movement activist.

He is noted as one of the pioneers of print journalism in Pakistan and was the founding editor and the first editor-in-chief of English-language newspaper, Dawn, which he edited for almost twenty years.

[2] In addition, he served as Industry Minister of Pakistan in the administration of President Ayub Khan from 1965 until resigning in 1968 for health reasons.

[2] During this time, his incisive writing won recognition and attention from Muhammad Ali Jinnah (founder of Pakistan) who had contacted him to meet him in his residency in Mumbai.

In this capacity, he played a critically important role in the success of the Pakistan Movement which led to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the South Asia.

[6] His influence as the founding editor of the Dawn, his role in the Pakistan Movement and his extraordinary relationship with Jinnah meant that his was amongst the most influential voices outside the government.

Dawn newspaper remarked eight years after his death: Altaf Husain was basically a crusader; his chief weapon was his powerful pen.

His commitment to the cause of the Muslims of this subcontinent was total; his loyalty to the Pakistan Movement and its great leader unflinching and unshakable.

Altah Husain joined Dawn, Delhi, as editor and plunged himself heart and soul in the titanic struggle for Pakistan.