Colonial Era
The Ittefaq was first published as a weekly paper on December 24, 1953 by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and Yar Mohammad Khan, its founders and publishers and also the founders and treasurers of Bangladesh Awami League. As both were actively involved politics and the anti-Pakistan movement, they appointed Tofazzal Hossain, who was working in Kolkata at the time, as its editor. The newspaper incorrectly displays Tofazzal Hossain as its founder.
In the colonial era it publicized the negligence and colonial mindset of Pakistan leaders to East Pakistan. As a result, the government acted against its editors and journalists. Tofazzal Hossain's post editorial column ‘Rajnaitik Mancha’ (political platform) became popular in East Pakistan. Ittefaq had a significant role in the 1954 general elections, and it contributed to the victory of the United Front. In 1958, Tofazzal Hossain changed the name of the original founder and publisher and replaced it with his name. Ittefaq always strongly opposed all military rule of Pakistan starting from Ayub Khan to Yahya Khan.
The Ittefaq supported the Six Point Program of Awami League during the mid-1960s and helped publish its ideas. Ittefaq quickly emerged as the voice of East Pakistan citizens. President Ayub Khan censored its publication from June 17 to July 11, 1966, and then again from July 17, 1966 to February 9, 1969. Tofazzal Hossain was imprisoned several times.
Hossain died on June 1, 1969; the newspaper was subsequently managed by his two sons, Mainul Hosein and Anwar Hossain.
Read more about this topic: The Daily Ittefaq
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