Imran Aslam

Imran Aslam was a prominent Pakistani journalist, screenwriter and media personality. He played a significant role in shaping the modern media landscape in Pakistan through his leadership at Geo Network. His diverse talents spanned from newsroom editing to creative scriptwriting for television.

Early life and education

Imran Aslam was born in Madras, now known as Chennai, in 1952. He spent his childhood in former East Pakistan, which allowed him to become fluent in Urdu, English and Bangla. He later moved to Lahore to pursue his studies at Government College University. During his time there, he formed friendships with notable figures such as Salman Shahid and Usman Peerzada.

Aslam continued his academic journey in the United Kingdom. He completed his higher education at the London School of Economics and Political Science during the 1970s. Before entering the media industry, he served as the Director of Royal Flight for Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of the UAE.

Career

Aslam began his professional journey in journalism as the editor of the English language newspaper The Star in 1982. He later transitioned to a role as the editor of The News, a Karachi-based English daily, during the 1990s. His leadership within the Jang Group of Newspapers eventually led him to a high-profile executive position.

In 2002, he assumed the role of President for the GEO Television Network. Under his guidance, the network expanded significantly by launching several new channels. These included Geo News, Geo Entertainment, Geo Super, Aag, Geo Kahani and Geo Tez. Many industry observers describe him as the creative brain that transformed Geo Network into a modern media powerhouse.

Beyond news management, Aslam was a prolific screenwriter. He wrote more than 60 drama scripts for both stage and television productions. His notable work for PTV includes the 1986 drama Khaleej and the 2000 series Bisaat. The latter production is recognized for marking the television debut of the veteran actor Nadeem.

His literary contributions extended to various subjects including sports, business and classical literature. He also wrote about religious texts, Sufism and comic books. His writing style was frequently noted for its distinct wit.

Personal life

Aslam was married to cricket journalist Farishteh Aslam. He possessed a deep appreciation for both Indian and Western classical music. This interest included qawwalis, Sufi music and various instrumental compositions.

He was a dedicated student of literature throughout his life. According to his niece, Reema Abbasi, he had memorized the works of Shakespeare, Byron and Keats. He also held a deep knowledge of Urdu poets such as Ghalib and Mir. Imran Aslam died on 2 December 2022 at the age of 70.