Islamabad, Pakistan: One of the most seasoned journalists and television anchors of Pakistan, Iftikhar Ahmad announced his retirement as Anchor stating his health does not allow him to continue his show at Channel 24.
Iftikhar Ahmad served journalism for 39 years before announcing his retirement as Television Anchor and as a full time working journalist.
Born on November 4, 1950 in Lahore, Iftikhar Ahmad started his career as Political Reporter in 1980, after his release from jail where he was sent for his activism against dictatorial rule of Gen Ziaul Haq.
Due to health reasons I am resigning from Channel 24 and bidding farewell to my 17 years long career as a TV Anchor. It has been a great journey, thanking all those who supported and helped me throughout the years, even my critics too.
— Iftikhar Ahmad (@jawabdeyh) July 13, 2019
He joined Jang Media Network in early 80s and started concept of political forums in journalism of Pakistan and headed Jang Forum for over 2 decades.
He held several positions in media houses including Director of Elections, Investigations, Special Projects, and Research (EISPAR) for the Geo News Network and his TV show Jawab Deyh (or in English “Answerable!”) on Geo News ran for 10 years and was rated as one of the most viewed political show in the history of electronic media in Pakistan.
When contacted, Iftikhar Ahmad said to Dispatch News Desk (DND) News Agency that he announced retirement for his profession as anchor due to his health but would continue to contribute in journalism as before.
He stated anchorship needs extreme commitment and long hours work because he always did research himself instead of having large teams of researchers along with other anchors therefore his profession as an TV Anchor required long hours that now he cannot contribute due to his health issues.
When asked did he resigned from journalism as well, he stated that there is no concept of retirement from journalism once you are journalist and I (he) would continue to contribute to journalism as writer, political and wherever he would feel comfortable.
