Urdu Times Editor and Publisher Khalil ur Rehman Passes away

New York: One of the founders of Urdu journalism in New York, publisher and editor of Urdu Times Khalil ur Rehman, passed away in New York after a prolonged illness.

The late Mr Khalil ur Rehman had settled in the US during the late 70s and was a respected name in Urdu journalism. Indeed, he was considered one of the leading pioneers of Urdu Journalism in Northern America and spent most of his life in the service of the Urdu language. His services for Urdu journalism in America will always be remembered.

The Pakistani American community and the journalists' fraternity have expressed their heartfelt grief on the demise of the late Mr Khalilur Rehman. They prayed for the departed soul and extended condolences to his aggrieved family. Many unreservedly feel that the death of Khalilur Rehman Sahib has created a void in Urdu journalism that will be hard to fill in the future.

He is survived by his widow, two sons, and a daughter. – VOSA

According to an article in Dawn ‘ A Language Far From Home ,’ by Fahad Naveed in June 2017, “Urdu Times USA started off in 1980 as a New York-based community newspaper. The paper’s editor, Khalil Ur Rehman, would get copies of Pakistani Urdu newspapers from PIA staffers flying in. Having thus obtained the latest scoop, Rehman and his team would start work on their paper.

“Today, thanks to advancements in technology, Rehman’s life is easier in many ways. Most of the Urdu Times’ staff is now based in Lahore. The publication’s footprint has also increased, with it being produced from various metros in the United States, Canada, and England.

“Yet, readership is dwindling. “I used to distribute 20,000 newspapers in New York at one point,” Rehman said. “Today, only about 5,000 copies reach readers.”

“While he recognizes that there has been a global decline in print readership, he feels that all US-based Urdu-language newspapers will die out with his generation. “Children who were born here, or who came to America when they were very young, can speak Urdu but cannot read or write it,” he said. He added that this happens with immigrants from all over the world. “There were many Spanish newspapers at one point, for example, but today even the biggest Spanish newspapers [in the US] have shut down.”

“Syed Saeed Naqvi pointed out that barely any youngsters attend Halqa sessions. But he retains hope and sees people trying to get more New Yorkers interested in the Urdu language. “There are efforts being made to try and introduce Urdu as a second language here,” he said, referring to Urdu programs at the New York University and Columbia University…”

Pakistan Link shares the grief and loss of the late Khalil ur Rehman Sahib’s family. May his soul rest in peace. (Ameen)