ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Friday expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the death of veteran journalist Khalid Hasan who died of prostate cancer in a Washington hospital. Khalid Hasan was the Washington correspondence of Daily Times’ since 2002.

In a message to his family the President paid rich tributes to Khalid Hasan for commitment to his profession and his achievements in the field of journalism.

The President said Khalid Hassan was admired and respected by his readers regardless of their political affiliations and was one of those rare journalists who earned respect for standing tall in a profession, that was also his passion.

President Zardari noted that the style of writing, masterly use of metaphor and diction and humour made him unique among journalists. Even when he extended humour into the realm of punch he did so without malice. And when he laughed at others it was without ridicule.

He said Khalid Hassan was both a fearless and prolific writer whose words and sentences engaged a reader as though in a lively  discourse.

President said “He stands out tall among those who serve as an example for our younger journalists to emulate. In his death Pakistani journalism has suffered a great blow. It has created a void that will not be filled so easily. He was a restless man. I pray to Almighty Allah to rest his soul in eternal peace.”

Khalid served as the press secretary to Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

He spent five years in country’s foreign service, with postings in Paris, Ottawa and London and resigned in protest when the Bhutto government was overthrown by Gen. Zia-ul-Haq.

He returned to Washington in 2000 as special correspondent of the Associated Press of Pakistan, and later joined Daily Times and The Friday Times, Lahore in 2002.

Khalid Hasan was a prolific writer and translator.

He has published over 40 books, in Pakistan and abroad.