ISLAMABAD — A prayer ceremony was held at the National Press Club for the late Muhammad Latif, father of senior journalist and columnist T.M. Awan. A large number of journalists, officials, diplomats and members of civil society attended the gathering to offer condolences and prayers.

The ceremony was attended by Director General of the Press Information Department Ayesha Tseddaq, Director Shahid Ranjha, President of the National Press Club Azhar Jatoi, former President of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists Tariq Virk, President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (Workers) Dr. Sadia Kamal, and senior journalist Javaid Malik.

Also present were Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Ali Sehrohi, Minister Counsellor for Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Rahmat Hindiarta, Head of the Department of Social Sciences at ZABIST University Dr. Tariq Waheed, representative of the Department of Public Policy at Riphah University Kashif Zaheer Kamboh, Civil Judge Mian Azhar Nadeem, Professor Wasim Anwar of Punjab Colleges, Director News ABN News Mohsin Nawaz, Director Chinese News Service at Associated Press of Pakistan Rab Nawaz Bajwa, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Islamabad Post Ansar Ali Bhatti, Chief Editor of Daily Shehr Nama Raja Javed, Editor Friday News Sabir Ali Baloch, President of Pakistan Awami Tehreek North Punjab Qazi Shafiq and Media Coordinator Ghulam Ali, among others.

Addressing the gathering, Maulana Abu Bakar Madani reflected on the inevitability of death and the temporary nature of worldly life. He emphasized the importance of righteous conduct, honesty, integrity and fulfilling the rights of others as guiding principles for success in both this world and the Hereafter.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, collective prayers were offered for the forgiveness of the late Muhammad Latif and for patience and strength for the bereaved family.

Speaking briefly, T.M. Awan thanked participants for their support and prayers, saying the solidarity shown by colleagues and friends had provided comfort during a difficult time.