Z. A. Suleri

Ziauddin Ahmad Suleri (6/6/1913 – 21/22 April 1999), best known as Z. A. Suleri, was a Pakistani political journalist, conservative writer, author, and Pakistan Movement activist. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of print journalism in Pakistan, and authored various history and political books on Pakistan as well as Islam in the South Asian subcontinent.

Early life and education Ziauddin Ahmad Suleri was born in Deoli, Zafarwal, North India, British Raj (present-day Punjab, Pakistan). He was a Rajput Salahria. After his graduation from school, he briefly studied British literature at Patna University, where he obtained a BA in English. He earned an MA in British literature after compiling a critical and analytical thesis on Great Expectations, written by Charles Dickens. In 1946, he departed for the United Kingdom but returned to Pakistan after the partition by the United Kingdom.

Career in journalism and ministry Suleri was appointed as editor of The Pakistan Times in 1966.

After an inquiry launched by the FIA, Suleri was picked up on charges of sedition at the behest of FIA director M.A. Gurmani, and his case was tried in the Central Jail in Punjab. After the imposition of martial law in 1977, chief of army staff General Zia-ul-Haq released him from prison and ultimately appointed him for a stint as editor-in-chief of The Pakistan Times.

Death In 1992, Suleri joined the senior staff of The News International, where he was promoted to become editor-in-chief of the newspaper.

Books

His unfinished biography When ZA Suleri wanted to write his autobiography, he chose Boys Will Be Boys as its title. The autobiography never materialised, and after his death when his daughter, Sara Suleri, decided to write a tribute to him, she gave this title to the book.