How did Dawn, a newspaper founded and established in Delhi, become Pakistan’s leading newspaper? Photo courtesy: Najaf Abbas and Usman Ather

How ‘Dawn’ made Pakistan, from Delhi

'Dawn', Pakistan's iconic newspaper, was founded in Delhi in 1941. This is the story of how 'Dawn' made Pakistan, before Pakistan made 'Dawn'.

Najaf Abbas is a filmmaker and writer based currently in Karachi, Pakistan. His work revolves largely around assessing postcolonial conditions, especially in relation to media and diasporic identity. In the past, he has been published at Mangal Media with his article, '68 KM to Rawalpindi'. @nunjeemfeh on Instagram. Usman Ather is a filmmaker and video editor based in Pakistan. @usmaanather on Instagram.

Following the Lahore Resolution of 1940, the All-India Muslim League set the Partition of India and formation of Pakistan as its primary goal. However, the Muslim League had no actual forum to argue their case. Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress – the Muslim League's biggest rival – had the National Sandesh newspaper present and defend their views.

"Their [National Sandesh newspaper] coverage was very pro-Congress, they would run editorials that were critical of Jinnah," says Rohit Inani, a journalist based in Delhi.

So, in October 1941, the first-ever edition of Dawn was printed in Delhi and the front page read that it was to be the "Muslim Mirror of India".

How did Dawn, a newspaper founded and established in Delhi, become Pakistan's leading newspaper, and what led to the shift of its offices from Delhi to Karachi? Watch this video to find out more.

Story: Najaf Abbas

Camera, Research: Najaf Abbas and Usman Ather

Footage from Delhi: Oohini Mukherjee and Zeeshan Kaskar

Edit: Najaf Abbas and Usman Ather

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