Global Beat Foundation Pays Tributes to the Late Nadeem Hotiana
By Zafar Iqbal, PhD
Washington, DC: The Global Beat Foundation, an advocacy group for journalists, organized a meeting to celebrate the life of Nadeem Hotiana, former Press Minister at the Embassy of Pakistan, who passed away after a brief illness.
Ambassador Dr Asad Majid Khan, Deputy Chief Mission Naveed Bokhari, Press Attaché Maliha Zargham Jaboanna, and Press Counselor to the Permanent Pakistan Mission to United Nation, Dr Mariam Shaikh paid tribute to Nadeem Hotiana and offered heartfelt condolences to the family.
Ambassador Khan admired Hotiana’s uprightness to stand up and say what he thought was correct. “I would like to convey to his family that Nadeem was a revered personality. We are now deprived of his services to the community and will miss him for years to come,” he added.
Naveed Bokhari said he was still in a state of shock on the passing away of Nadeem Hotiana. Nadeem was an exceptional professional, and, above all, he was deeply loved like a brother. Bukhari mentioned that Hotiana loved to celebrate life and always organized big parties. “He was always Mehfil ki jaan,” Bokhari added.
Maliha Zargham praised Hotiana’s professional integrity and said that though she did not get a chance to work with him she knew that he was dearly admired in the department. “When I was posted to the Embassy in Washington DC, my colleagues told me to contact Hotiana Sahib as he was the favorite person of journalists, and very helpful,” she added.
Dr Mariam Shaikh said that she was shocked to hear that Nadeem Hotiana has left this world. She said that “Nadeem was an amazing person and was loved and respected in the Ministry.” She added, “I always found him a great upright and thorough gentleman.” Shaikh also conveyed sympathy to the Hotiana’s family on their loss on behalf of the Pakistani Mission in New York.
Journalism professor Josh Meyer, a working journalist, and a longtime friend of Hotiana, said that he felt crushed when he heard the news. “Hotiana was very well-respected by the media because he did not put spins on things and did his best to get information to the people,” Meyer said. He mentioned that he deals with Press Attachés but rarely develops friendship with them. Nadeem was a very personable person. Meyer further recalled that Nadeem was immensely proud of his children and he always updated me about their studies and what they were doing.
Dawn correspondent Anwar Iqbal became emotional while talking about Hotiana . He said it was difficult for him to believe that he was no more. He praised Hotiana’s ability to connect with people and establish relationships.
Lamia Zia of Texas Tech University said it was hard to find such a loving, caring, and kind person likeHotiana. “He was perfect in every role, a professional government official, a loving father, an amazing husband, and a friend who was always there for you,” Zia added.
Duniya News correspondent Yousuf Chaudhry expressed grief on Hotiana’s passing away and said that he was a famous and respected person among the journalists and in the community. “We will always miss him,” he added.
Khurram Shahzad, correspondent Channel 92, said that he could write a whole book on Hotiana. He was impressed by three qualities of Hotiana—professionally he always delivered, he would always put behind anything to protect his family, and his bonding with the journalists and the community.
Nuzaira Azam, president of the Global Beat Foundation (GBF), reminisced and appreciated the contribution of Hotiana in establishing the GBF. “Hotiana was a selfless worker, a force behind the Foundation, and his passing away is a great personal loss to us,” she said.
Azam announced that Josh Meyer was creating a GoFundMe link for the education of Hotiana’s children.
Nadeem Hotiana’s son Daniyal Hotiana thanked the participants and organizers of the meeting to pay homage to his departed father. He also appreciated the help and support offered to his family.
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