KARACHI, Jan 18 (APP): \u00a0Senator Sarmad Ali, Managing Director of the Jang Group and President of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), on Sunday was conferred an honorary doctorate in Media Innovation and Public Leadership by Greenwich University at its convocation ceremony held here at the Governor\u2019s House.<\/p>\n
Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori conferred the honorary degree on Senator Sarmad in recognition to his services for Pakistan\u2019s media industry including strengthening of media institutions, promoting ethical journalism, and advancing innovation in communication.<\/p>\n
In his acceptance speech, Senator Ali said he was \u201cdeeply honoured and sincerely grateful\u201d for the recognition, describing it as \u201can acknowledgement not only of an individual journey, but of a lifetime spent in an industry that shapes ideas, institutions, and societies\u201d, according to a press release issued here.<\/p>\n
Senator Sarmad said the award recognized his \u201cmodest contribution to the field of media and communications that today stands at the intersection of technology, democracy, culture, and public trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on Pakistan\u2019s media landscape, he described it as an industry marked by \u201cextraordinary creativity, resilience, and courage,\u201d often operating under political pressure, commercial constraints, and security risks. \u201cTo serve in such an environment is not merely a career choice; it is an honour,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
Paying tribute to his mentors and colleagues, Senator Ali said that no meaningful journey could be undertaken alone, and acknowledged the guidance of his mentors including Javed Jabbar, Syed Naseer Haider, S. H. Hashmi, Iqbal Mir, Hameed Haroon, and Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. He also credited his colleagues at the Jang\/Geo Group, noting that \u201cperformance is a team sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of media leadership, he said, \u201cInnovation without integrity is hollow, and influence without accountability is dangerous,\u201d adding that the duty to inform truthfully, criticise fairly, and represent voices honestly remains sacred.<\/p>\n
Referring to Pakistan\u2019s emerging generation of public leadership, Senator Ali said it was encouraging to see leaders \u201cspeak the language of inclusion, diplomacy, climate responsibility, and democratic continuity,\u201d and cited Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as an example of this generational shift.<\/p>\n
Addressing the graduating students, he urged them to remain anchored in ethics while embracing change. Referring to the age of artificial intelligence and rapid technological transformation, he said this should not paralyse young people but encourage them to \u201cquestion established models, challenge inherited assumptions, and break moulds that no longer serve progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
The convocation ceremony was attended by Chancellor Greenwich University Seema Mughal, senior government officials, academicians, diplomats, and graduating students as well as their parents.<\/p>\n
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