Zubeida Mustafa (1941 – 2025):

Zubeida Mustafa was more than a journalist; she was a conscience for Pakistan. A trailblazer and a compassionate chronicler of the nation’s journey, her life’s work was defined by an unshakeable commitment to truth, equality, and human dignity. Though she passed away on July 9, 2025, her powerful voice and pioneering spirit continue to resonate, setting a gold standard for ethical journalism.

Barriers in Pakistan’s Media

Zubeida Mustafa joined Dawn, Pakistan’s foremost English-language newspaper, in 1975, becoming one of the first women to hold a senior editorial position in the country’s mainstream media. Serving primarily as an Assistant Editor, she formally retired from her staff role in 2008. Crucially, this did not end her relationship with the paper or her readers. She continued her profound engagement as a freelance journalist, writing a highly respected fortnightly column for Dawn right up until her health declined in 2025.

Her work fundamentally altered the focus of the newsroom, moving beyond politics to champion issues that truly mattered to the people. She was a leading advocate for the social sector, dedicating herself to in-depth investigative reporting on:

• Public Health and Population Issues
• Education and the Mother-Tongue Language Debate
• Women’s Empowerment and Children’s Rights

During her editorial tenure, she introduced and spearheaded vital new sections like the pioneering Health Page, Education Page, and the renowned “Books & Authors”—the first dedicated literary magazine by a Pakistani newspaper.

A Global Perspective on Human Development

Ms. Mustafa’s influence was felt globally through her leadership of the One World Supplement in the early 1980s. This landmark project, which ran in Dawn, involved an extraordinary international collaboration with 15 major newspapers worldwide, demonstrating her ability to bridge continents through shared human concerns. International partners included esteemed publications such as:

• Le Monde (Paris)
• Asahi Shimbun (Tokyo)
• La Stampa (Rome)
• The Indian Express (New Delhi)
• Jornal do Brasil (Rio de Janeiro)

Her commitment to insightful, principled reporting saw her articles and analysis published in numerous foreign newspapers and websites, cementing her status as an internationally recognized voice on social justice.

Education and Enduring Principles

A graduate of International Relations from the University of Karachi and an alumna of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Ms. Mustafa’s analysis was always underpinned by a rigorous academic foundation. Her early career as a Research Officer at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) provided the basis for her later transition into fearless public commentary.

Her lifetime of dedication was honoured by major international and local institutions:

• International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), recognizing her as the first Pakistani journalist to receive this accolade.
• Global Media Award for Excellence (1986 and 2004) from the Population Institute, Washington, USA.
• Lifetime Achievement Awards from UKS (2013) and Ladies Fund (2015).

Zubeida Mustafa’s legacy is not just one of professional achievement but of profound humanity. She taught a generation of journalists that their greatest duty was to the vulnerable, ensuring their stories were told with dignity, clarity and an uncompromising pursuit of justice.

You can learn more about Zubeida Mustafa’s professional life and views through her extensive articles on this website and interviews:

 

You can contact her through the Contact Us page.