Karachi: Exclusively cricket magazine ‘Akhbar-e-Watan’ has been re-launched here at local with modifications to keep up with the ever changing media. “We have realized that we need adapt to the changing demands of contemporary needs of the people,” Iqbal Munir Editor of the magazine said at the re-launching ceremony on Tuesday here at local hotel.
He said that the electronic media and the internet have had an adverse affect on the print media. “The people’s taste has changed with the period of time and now with the re-launch of the magazine, we are looking forward to cater the changing need of the readers,” he said.
He said that the magazine has been made more pictorial and it will now be both in Urdu and English. “In fact it will be in three languages – Urdu, English and SMS language – Urdu written in English alphabets.”
Former cricketer star Wasim Akram hailed the efforts of the magazine officials for revitalizing the historic cricket magazine.
“When I started to get pocket money of my father, I used to rent Akhbar-e-Watan magazine and even pilfer pictures of legendary cricketers like Imran Khan and Javed Miandad and with the time I have an album of star cricketers.
“I had two aims in my life as a young cricketer – which were to make it to the Pakistan cricket team and the second to have my picture publish at the page of the Akhbar-e-Watan,” Wasim said on the occasion.
Meanwhile, another former skipper Moin Khan also praised the efforts of the magazine’s officials and hoped that the magazine flourishes.
Former cricketer and chief selector Iqbal Qasim recalled the desire to have his picture published at the front page.
“Munir Hussain was a stubborn man and he will only publish pictures of cricket stars at the front page. One day I had a chance to request him to publish pictures of other cricketers as well and he reluctantly complied but said that he would not publish a solo picture and might publish a group photo. Only then I had a chance to make it to the front page along with some other cricketers,” Iqbal recalled.
Munir Hussain was the founder of the magazine Akhbar-e-Watan, which has covered the sport of cricket for around 40 years in Pakistan.