Remembering Javed Iqbal Jaidi: A life of integrity and friendship

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 17 November 2025 |  Tariq Anwaar

Tariq Anwaar shares memories of Javed Iqbal Jaidi, highlighting his humor, sincerity, and calm demeanor, which he displayed ahead of a foreign trip, reflecting a life of integrity and friendship.

Summary

TORONTO — Javed Iqbal Jaidi, a veteran Pakistani journalist, passed away last week (November 2025). I knew him well, and I can say without hesitation that he was a man of extraordinary character, humor, and simplicity. He lived his life with integrity, always placing friendship and honesty above everything else. His career spanned decades, during which he covered major stories. I remember him as someone who never sought the spotlight but made a lasting impact through his sincerity and dedication.

A Career Marked by Dedication and Integrity

I recall a memory from many years ago when a group of journalists from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including Jaidi, was scheduled to travel to Baghdad for coverage. Life in Iraq was beginning to stabilize after years of war, and a special PIA flight was arranged from Karachi. Our departure from Islamabad to Karachi was scheduled for an evening flight, but our passports had not arrived from the Iraqi embassy by noon. I followed the advice of PIA’s General Manager in Islamabad and postponed my travel. After seeing my colleagues off at the airport, I returned to the office, worried about the visas.

The next morning, I took the flight to Karachi and went straight to my office from the airport. I was instructed to go to Avari Towers and meet Mr. Zameer Alam Ansari. When I reached, Mr. Ansari was pacing outside the visa officer’s room and said, “He’s not listening at all. Alright, you talk to him.”

Inside the room, I saw the officer busy stamping visas. When I asked about our passports, he demanded payment again, even though it had already been submitted in Islamabad. After sorting that, one passport was missing — Javed Jaidi’s. I told Jaidi about it, expecting frustration. But he laughed. “No problem,” he said. His calm and cheerful demeanor in that moment put everyone at ease. That was the man Jaidi was, always composed, patient, and free-spirited.

Memories That Reflect a Free-Spirited Personality

Jaidi advised me to book my seat back to Islamabad. We embraced before I left, and I remember thinking that such moments captured the essence of who he was — warm, sincere, and profoundly generous with his friendship. He never let challenges disturb his optimism, and he always carried a lightness that made those around him feel reassured.

Jaidi's contributions went far beyond individual assignments. He mentored younger journalists, nurtured a collaborative environment in newsrooms, and demonstrated the standards of integrity and honesty that all journalists should aspire to. His life was defined not only by the stories he covered but by the trust, laughter, and friendships he created along the way.

KEY POINTS:

• Javed Iqbal Jaidi, a veteran Pakistani journalist, passed away in November 2025
• Known for his approachable, humorous, and sincere personality
• Remembered by Tariq Anwaar for a Baghdad reporting trip over three decades ago
• Left a lasting legacy of integrity, mentorship, and friendship in journalism
• Inspired colleagues through his calm demeanor and free-spirited approach

ABOUT THE WRITER: Tariq Anwaar is a former Public Relations Manager at Pakistan International Airlines and is now based in Canada. Known for his exceptional networking skills, he cultivated strong relationships with journalists and media professionals across Pakistan. His long career in public relations and close association with the press earned him a reputation as a trusted liaison between the national airline and the country’s media community.