Hakeem Yaseen congratulates Hafiz Ayaz on receiving Outstanding Journalist Award

Srinagar, Jan 20: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) chairman and former minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Monday congratulated Hafiz Ayaz Gani, the Editor-in-Chief of daily Rising Kashmir, for receiving the Outstanding State Journalist Award on the occasion of Republic Day.
In a special message, Yaseen commended Hafiz for his leadership of Rising Kashmir, particularly during a pivotal period following the tragic assassination of the publication’s founding editor, Syed Shujaat Bukhari, in June 2018. “Hafiz Ayaz is not only a brilliant journalist but also an alumnus of the State Engineering University of Armenia, where he completed his B Tech in 1996,” he said.
He said under Ayaz’s stewardship, Rising Kashmir has launched several significant initiatives to enhance its reach and relevance. In 2021, the publication introduced two new editions—”Sunday Special” and “Education Special”—to cater to the diverse interests of its readership.
The PDF chief termed the award from the Jammu and Kashmir government as a well-deserved acknowledgment of Hafiz’s specialised and unbiased reporting. “Hafiz Ayaz Gani’s introduction of thematic editions for important occasions, including World Heart Day, World Mental Health Day, and various cultural festivals have enriched the publication’s connection with its audience,” he said.
The former minister said that since 2022, the front-page anchor stories of Rising Kashmir have garnered notable recognition, with several being commended by the office of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Yaseen expressed his hope that Hafiz’s work would continue to set new benchmarks in journalism in Jammu and Kashmir.