The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) organized a ceremony to commemorate the 67th anniversary of Pakistan Movement leader Maulana Zafar Ali Khan. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Syed Jamal Shah and former Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry were the chief guests. Islamabad Bar Council Vice Chairman Raja Aleem Khan Abbasi, National Press Club Secretary Finance Ms. Nayar Ali and others addressed the ceremony and paid tribute to Maulana Zafar Ali Khan for his outstanding services for the Pakistan Movement.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Syed Jamal Shah said that the life of Maulana Zafar Ali Khan is a torchbearer for all of us as he always raised the voice of the oppressed before the oppressors. He said that brave and truthful personalities like Maulana Zafar Ali Khan are a great asset of our national heritage and there is a need to educate the young generation about their valueable services for the country. He said that the economy of Pakistan is currently going through a difficult period and emphasized that all political parties and leaders make collective efforts to get the country out of the current troubles.

President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari that Maulana Zafar Ali Khan played a leadership role in the Pakistan Movement and as a prominent journalist and poet he awakened the spirit of freedom among the Muslims of the subcontinent through his pen. He said that Pakistan needs the personalities like Maulana Zafar Ali Khan to overcome the economic challenges. He said that youth is 60 percent of our population who need better guidance to play an active role in making the future of Pakistan bright & prosperous.

PML-N leader and former federal minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that heroes like Maulana Zafar Ali Khan will always be remembered in history for his great services for the creation of Pakistan. He said that all political leaders should play a role for the development of the country instead of pulling each other's legs. He hoped that the future of Pakistan is bright, God willing we will get out of the current problems soon.

Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President ICCI, while paying tribute to the services of Maulana Zafar Ali Khan for Pakistan Movement, said that the business community, lawyers and journalist community are important stakeholders of this country and all should work together to get Pakistan's economy out of the current problems.

Islamabad Bar Council Vice Chairman Raja Aleem Khan Abbasi said that Maulana Zafar Ali Khan was the father of journalism who never adopted journalism as a profession, but used it for a cause. He said that journalists and lawyers are not accountable to anyone, but they are accountable to their own conscience, so both communities should make collective efforts for the development and prosperity of Pakistan.

Zafar Bakhtavari, former President ICCI and Secretary General UBG Pakistan said that we are forgetting our ancestors, which should be a cause of concern as those nations that forget their ancestors and heroes do not survive in history. He stressed the importance of educating youth about the country's history and its heroes. He said that Maulana Zafar Ali Khan was one of the founding members of the Muslim League and due to his high journalistic skills, he had made the Zamindar newspaper the most popular newspaper in the subcontinent within a few years. He said that we need the leaders like Maulana Zafar Ali Khan to address the current difficulties being faced by Pakistan.

National Press Club Secretary Finance Ms. Nayar Ali said that Maulana Zafar Ali Khan is a beacon for all of us. He laid the foundation of resistance journalism and became a great example for later journalists. She said that journalism has been facing challenges in every era and unfortunately it has become a tool of business. She said that the media owners and the business community should ensure that journalism does not become a business but becomes a source of providing accurate information to the nation.

Ms. Afraz Sial, Convener, ICCI Literacy Committee said that Maulana Zafar Ali Khan always spoke the truth due to which he was imprisoned 14 times and his newspapers were banned 15 times.