Senior
Journalist Ashraf Suhail have an experience around 30 years. Luckily have
little exposure in all fields of media like print , electronic and social
media. He Worked with Daily Nawa-i-Waqat, Daily Wafaq, Daily Awaz (Jang group), Express News, Geo News, Daily Jehan Pakistan
and now in Daily
Mashriq Lahore. Along with a long journey in journalism He also
associated with teaching , also a member board of study of Punjab university
mass communication department. He tries to serve society as social worker too.
In journalism his focused area
is editorial writing. He wrote editorials for Jang Group, Daily Jehan Pakistan
and Daily Mashriq Lahore. As a professional journalist, He think, He need too much to learn in his
field.
Talking about his daily routine as a journalist he says that “I am very much committed with
my job and assignments. I believe that responsibility must need dedication and
hard working. Since long time I daily visit my office even on Sunday and
routine off days. Since a long I did not attain weekly off. My family members
and close friends circle did not like this habit even.
On the question that Do you get used to being a celebrity? He said that " I never think myself a celebrity, lot of people respect me, even love me but it did not mean that I am a celebrity. Believe myself as normal human being having good and bad qualities. I want respect and attention as normal being but never want to be a celebrity.”
On the
question that if you weren’t famous, what would you be up to right now? He said
that “it is settled in my case. Nature has set journalism for me as profession
and passion too. My life tracker proved that I am a journalist and I should be
journalist.”
He told that
“In college life I always thought psychology as my profession. I read psychology
in my intermediate and degree classes and was active member of my college
psychology Union, so I might be a psychologist if did not choose journalism.
While
expressing his views on “What did you want to become when you were a
kid?” He said “I wanted
to become a soldier in my childhood.”
Talking
about his inspiration, he said “There are a lot of journalists working great in
Pakistan. A lot good and impressive journalists are there in international
journalism. I appreciate all journalist whom working impartially, on
journalistic principals, dedicated with their professional and loyal to their
soil but there is no inspirational matter with any of them.”
On the
question “Was there a time you wished you were someone else?” He said that
“Yes, sometime I thought so but I always happy and satisfied with my job and
response to my responsibilities.”
He said
“Reading is one of my hobbies, I love to read books. I like books on history,
culture, romance, journey and philosophy.”
He told “I
think but believe that every person having passion in his job have a lot of
chances to grow and groom. It is fact that talented people in sports, culture,
politics, showbiz, social work etc. are so influential.
On the
question “How would you describe yourself in 5 words?” He said “Hard working,
sincere, honest to job and simple.”
He expresses
that “Every nice thought, achievement and good deed make me smile but the
circumstances in my country and the cause of them scar me a lot. The greatest strength of mine is My family and prayers of my parents,
sincerely and loyalty of my love one is my strength. Everything that can cause
damage to society, common man and my country is my weakness.”
He said that
“I joined Daily Wafaq as part time junior subeditor in 1992, that was my first
job.”
He expressed
that “I used social media for many purposes like new stories, entertainment and
finding new trends.”
On the
question “What qualities make good journalists?” He said “It is a good question
and need of current circumstance. I think a good journalist must know the true
spirit, meanings and requirements of journalism. It matter of sorrow that many
people using the name of journalism but doing all against journalistic manners.
Commonly rating game is become the main purpose of doing journalism. A
journalist must know the limits of his profession. He must know the affairs of
state, soul of national interests, true principles of democracy, religion
approach, Social values, common man rights, moral values, differences among
truth and false, information and news, comment and analysis, and above all, he
believed to act and follow all in dignified and honest way.
He said “every story
must be true, interesting for people, have positive and constructive impact on
society.”
He said “I prefer to write every contact that could support to
social awareness. That support true democracy and rule of law in country. I
think political affairs are the better way to support people and pakistan. So, I preferred
political content after the entertainment and sports too and that makes me unique.”
He told “I think
success is the sign of relief and happiness that connect to achieve your goals
in life. It is necessary that the goals you set should be human loving, based
on social progress and progressive for common man.”
He said “Role of
journalist in society is so important and leading. Journalist is an opinion
maker, trend setter and a kind of leader that guide the common man toward right
direction. It also the responsibility of journalist that he has a courage to
critics the ruling Ellet and powerful pocket for betterment of society, common
man and state. A journalist must do his duty with zeal, courage, true and
committed approach. He should not be hungry of false fame and artificial
ratting but believe in true spirit of journalism.”
While Discussing the Qualities That a Journalist Should Poses to be
Effective, he said “A
journalist must be intelligent, wise, humble and brave. He should know the
ground realities of his surroundings and has an ability to do his duty
according to the requirements of time and society. He has an effective angle to
deliver his ideas and must has logic, facts and proves to show his arguments
and stance. He believes in truth but know that how should inform it to society
in well behave and strong way.”
He Said “Actually,
journalism is the other name of challenges. A journalist always faces challenges.
A society that has a huge number of illiterate people, under the wrong
concepts. political, religious and social pressure group dominating the common
people. Supremacy of law, judicial system and education system always under
question. Concept of politics and democracy is totally on power based
philosophy. True and on merit journalism in such society is itself a
challenge.”
Talking
about his funny or interesting stories he revealed that “A lot of funny stories
are there in my career. Mostly belongs to my colleagues, some with media
master, some with politicians and prominent figures even with me. it is an
interesting chapter but I don’t want to mention all.”
Talking about his hidden talents that people don’t
know about yet he expresses that " I think my scope of approach is much wider. whenever I
think on a project, I think it on worldwide even universal scale. I believe my
talent or strength belongs to this approach too.”
He advice for young generation who want to be Journalist “honesty, dedication,
sincerity and hardworking are the fundamental principles for any profession.
New comers in journalism should follow up mention rules. They should focus on
study, observation and always be curious with fearless approach.”
He gave a message to his fans that “I think a person should be
decent, respectful, balanced in thoughts and acts. Believe in humanity and
self-respect. How can we gain these all qualities, every person thinks on it
seriously.”
