Srinagar: A veteran journalist and founder editor of popular Urdu daily 'Aftab', Khawaja Sonaullah Bhat, passed away after a prolonged illness here.
Bhat (87), a bachelor, breathed his last at S K Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, yesterday where he was admitted on November six.
Bhat started his career in journalism in 1952 from a weekly 'Kashmir' in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He started the daily 'Aftab' in 1957.
Fully devoted to his professional life and his daily, Bhat, popularly known as 'Khawaja sahib', introduced the street sale of newspapers.
He had also authored a number of books.
Bhat was the first to use offset printing technology for his daily. He also introduced photo-journalism in the state.
Various dignitaries have condoled the demise of the veteran journalist, who is considered here as 'father of journalism'.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 15:45