In a first, a minority community member has been elected as governing body member of National Press Club, Islamabad. Harmeet Singh bagged 75 votes in the poll the result of which was declared today.
The National Press Club is a representative body of journalists based in Rawalpindi and Pakistani federal capital Islamabad. This body represents more than 2,500 journalists.
Harmeet (30) had hit the headlines after he was offered break as new anchor with “Public News”, a 24X7 Urdu channel in 2018. At a time when the minorities in Pakistan fought for their rights, it was an apt opportunity that came his way to represent his community at the global level.
Talking to The Tribune over phone, Harmeet told that he intends to make his family, his community in Pakistan proud by being in the mainstream with a positive approach, despite constraints.
“The Islamabad Press Club is a prime platform from where I could raise minority issues with Pakistan ministry. After scripting the history on being the first turbaned Sikh as news anchor, I am happy again to be the first Sikh to be elected in the press club now from Azad Journalist panel,” he said.
A Masters in Journalism from Urdu University, Karachi, it is not his religious identification but Harmeet’s flamboyant looks and voice pitch that leave an impression.
Harmeet started sporting turban at a very later stage. He wants his two-year-old son Harmanveer Singh practise Sikhism from very beginning.
“The turban not only enhanced my personality, but also makes me feel special and stand tall in the crowd. I sometimes feel that why my parents did not give me ‘Sikhi saroop’ from my childhood,” he said.
He has a regret that due to visa restrictions, he could never get a chance to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple. “This is one wish that I want to be fulfilled soon along with my family,” he said.
Hailing from the city of Chakesar, a town of the Shangla district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwah province of Pakistan, Harmeet has proficiency in speaking Pashto, besides Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi and English. His father was a dispenser in a government hospital and he is the only one in his family who chose journalism as a profession.
In January, he lost his 25-year-old brother Parvendar Singh who was murdered in Peshawar due to personal reasons. However, with efficient police action the culprits were put behind the bars.
