LAHORE: (Friday, April 11, 2025): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali has said that Pakistan does not lack resources and her future is bright however there is a need to promote positive thinking through positive journalism. He was addressing a special ceremony in honor of senior journalist Salman Ghani, recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz, by the Government of Pakistan. The ceremony was organized by PU School of Communication Studies at Al-Raazi Hall here on Friday. On this occasion, Member British Parliament Afzal Khan, Senior Journalists Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Sajjad Mir, President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari, Analyst Salman Abid, Anchorperson Ajmal Jami, Salman Ghani’s family, SCS Director Prof Dr Abida Ashraf, Chairperson Department of Communication and Media Research Dr Nosheena Saleem, Chairperson Department of Digital Media Dr Savera Shami, Chairperson Department of Film and Broadcasting Dr Lubna Zaheer, Chairperson Department of Journalism Studies Dr Mian Hanan Ahmed, Chairperson Department of Media and Development Communication Dr Ayesha Ashfaq, Chairperson Department of Public Relations and Advertising Dr Faiza Latif, faculty members and a large number of students were present. In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali said that we are fortunate that Salman Ghani is associated with Punjab University. He said that Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami and Salman Ghani are patriotic and positive thinkers and have always done fact-based journalism. He said that in today’s event, the students got an opportunity to learn more than several semesters. He said that we pay tribute to Afzal Khan for raising his voice for the Muslims of Gaza and Kashmir at various forums. Afzal Khan said that he sacrificed his ministry for the atrocities committed in Gaza. He said that Allah Almighty has made every human being talented, which one should realize. “All of you are leaders, if you fulfill your responsibilities, Pakistan will be strong,” he said, adding that in the age of AI, it is becoming very difficult to judge truth and falsehood. He said that he is very happy to come to PU for the first time. He paid tribute to Salman Ghani for his impartial reporting throughout his career. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami said that he has not seen another journalist like Salman Ghani in his career, in which the reporter is still alive today. He said that insulting others is not journalism, but positive criticism is journalism. He said that unfortunately, people are demonstrating irresponsibility on social media, in which there is a lack of truth. He said that there is a need to invest more in education and award teachers with national awards. Salman Ghani said that he is fortunate that he has reached this milestone as a result of studying at PU under great teachers like Waris Mir, Mughees-ud-Din Sheikh, Miskeen Ali Hijazi, Dr Mehdi Hasan, Mujahid Ali Mansoori, Shafiq Jalandhari. He said that he learned a lot by working with colleagues like Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami and Sajjad Mir. He said that hardworking people progress more than intelligent people. He said that he pays tribute to Afzal Khan for leaving the ministry because of Gaza. He said that the Islamic world’s silence on the happenings in Palestine is a tragedy. He said that the day is not far when Palestine will become a graveyard for Israel. He said that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif exposed the ugly face of Israel in the United Nations and the Pakistani delegation’s boycott of Netanyahu’s speech was a commendable action. He said that our main problem is that we have nuclear power in one hand and a sack in the other, but the country’s economy is now improving rapidly. He expressed hope that the youth of Pakistan will vigorously fight the enemy’s poisonous propaganda on social media. He said that the media will have to play a positive role for a strong, stable and prosperous Pakistan. Sajjad Mir said that Salman Ghani is not a tool of any party, but his relationship with everyone is very deep. Salman Abid said that the journey behind Salman Ghani’s position today is very long and difficult. He said that journalism is never easy; a lot of pressure has to be endured. Arshad Ansari said that in the present era, the process of reading newspapers, magazines and periodicals is becoming extinct. He said that to know the facts, students should always continue the process of learning and reading. Ajmal Jami said that Salman Ghani is one of the great and renowned journalists in the world of journalism. He said that we all should promote journalism like Salman Ghani. Prof Dr Abida Ashraf said that Salman Ghani has raised the name of the PU’s Department of Journalism. She said that Salman Ghani has raised his voice against the atrocities in Palestine and Indian Occupied Kashmir through his columns, analyses, programs and speeches. She said that Salman Ghani’s journalism is a beacon for our young students. Dr Nosheena Saleem, Dr Savera Shami, Dr Lubna Zaheer, Dr Mian Hanan Ahmed, Dr Ayesha Ashfaq and Dr Faiza Latif also addressed the ceremony. Later, souvenirs were distributed among distinguished guests.