Transporting passengers in buses and luxury vehicles from Dubai to other emirates without a permit can get you a fine of up to Dh20,000
life and living2 hours ago
A calm, peaceful and seasoned journalist who matured to a point where he could decide in the blink of an eye what was news — and what was not. That’s how ex-colleagues remembered Saleem Asmi, former Khaleej Times news editor, who passed away in Karachi on October 31. He was 85.
Those were the days of pioneering journalism — and some fine editors — in the UAE. With a deep insight into the Arabian Gulf and Middle East region, Asmi was KT’s gold standard at the time. The paper rose in stature in the entire Gulf, its editorial integrity and accuracy being its leading lights.
Asmi was supplements editor before being elevated to the post of news editor. He was a very broadminded and positive person who everyone respected. Sub-editors and reporters who were doubtful about local or international content would stroll into his cabin for advice, and he would readily guide them.
Asmi welcomed new joiners with the kind of bonhomie that journalists understand, which made them feel at home. While Jamil Akthar supervised the news desk, it’s the soft-spoken Asmi who controlled news operations from his glass cabin.
He will be remembered not only as an efficient journalist but also as an editor who upheld editorial freedom, integrity and code of ethics. He batted for the news desk and always took the responsibility for any goof-ups in the paper.
As he left KT after a long stint to take up responsibilities at the Dawn in Karachi, Asmi left an indelible mark in the KT newsroom.
In an obit, Dawn said that during his stint as editor, he paid special attention to covering art.
He decided to take the risk of publishing an Osama bin Laden interview by a non-staffer because he thought the report contained hard news about nuclear technology. He was also responsible for launching Dawn’s Islamabad edition.
While Pakistan Information Minister Shibli Faraz said journalism had lost a “shining star”, Senator Sherry Rehman said “Pakistan journalism lost one of its best and brightest”.
After several decades, we can still picture him, with reading glasses balanced on his nose, poring over page bromides at midnight before they went to the cameras. Asmi sahab, all the best in that great world beyond.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
Transporting passengers in buses and luxury vehicles from Dubai to other emirates without a permit can get you a fine of up to Dh20,000
life and living2 hours ago
This watch is more wearable than ever with a thinner profile that packs new performance punches
tech reviews2 hours ago
The first phase of the conservation drive, which covered 3,916 homes, achieved a 40%, 63% reduction in lighting, water consumption respectively
uae2 hours ago
The suspect had made online death threats against German citizens and had a history of quarrelling with state authorities
europe2 hours ago
The president's silence on a looming government shutdown over Christmas is just the latest example of how critics say the ageing leader is in office but not in power
americas3 hours ago
There is no let-up in the violence in the Gaza Strip more than 14 months into the Israel-Hamas conflict
mena3 hours ago
Some traffic officers abandoned their uniforms and motorbikes in the street on December 8, the day the rebels took Damascus
mena3 hours ago
DXB earlier said that it will see a surge in travellers as the winter holiday season unfolds, with over 5.2 million guests expected between December 13 and 31
uae3 hours ago