Veteran broadcaster Ishrat Fatima steps away after 45 years

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 January 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Veteran broadcaster Ishrat Fatima has bid farewell to broadcast media after nearly 45 years, leaving Radio Pakistan without citing reasons. Colleagues praised her Urdu diction, integrity and Pride of Performance; no official statement was issued.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Veteran broadcaster Ishrat Fatima has bid farewell to broadcast media after nearly 45 years of association, marking the end of a career that spanned decades of radio and television history in Pakistan. In her farewell remarks, Fatima credited her achievements to Allah and her parents, describing her departure from Radio Pakistan as a deeply difficult decision.

She said she worked with honesty, integrity, and dedication throughout her career in an effort to fulfill her professional responsibilities. Fatima did not disclose the reasons behind her decision to leave Radio Pakistan, and no official statement from the broadcaster regarding her departure has been issued.

Tributes highlight a landmark broadcasting career

Journalists and media professionals have paid glowing tributes to Fatima, underlining her influence on Urdu broadcasting and her long-standing presence on the national airwaves. Senior journalist Fauzia Kalsoom Rana described her career as far more than a measure of years, calling it a collection of memorable moments, significant events, and enduring narratives that became part of both the national and international media landscape.

Rana said Pride of Performance recipient Ishrat Fatima was a singular and timeless broadcaster whose command over Urdu diction, pronunciation, and cadence set her apart, adding that such a stature is rarely achieved in the history of broadcasting.

Merit and professional integrity emphasized

In her tribute, Rana stressed that while opportunities and assignments may sometimes come through recommendations or connections, the respect and affection Ishrat Fatima earned among audiences could only be achieved through merit, relentless hard work, professional integrity, and strength of character. She added that every opportunity to work alongside Fatima became a source of learning and pride.

Salutations and acknowledgments from peers reflected a broader sentiment within journalistic circles that Fatima’s career served as a benchmark for broadcast professionalism and linguistic excellence.

Public admiration and calls for institutional recognition

Public appreciation for Fatima’s work was also echoed by Javeria Siddique, the spouse of slain journalist Arshad Sharif, who wrote on X that generations of students listened to Ishrat Fatima on PTV during their childhood to develop skills in writing, speaking, and conversation.

Siddique described Fatima as humble, modest, and deeply devoted to Pakistan, questioning how institutions could bid farewell to a veteran broadcaster with such an extensive record of service. She suggested that Fatima could have been appointed to senior mentoring or leadership roles within state media or media training institutions to pass on her expertise to younger generations.

The tributes collectively underscore Ishrat Fatima’s enduring impact on Pakistan’s broadcast media, particularly in shaping standards of Urdu presentation and professional conduct. While her departure raises questions about institutional continuity and mentorship within public broadcasting, her legacy remains firmly embedded in the country’s media history.

KEY POINTS:

• Ishrat Fatima retires after nearly 45 years in radio and television.
• She credited Allah and her parents, calling the departure a difficult decision.
• Fatima did not disclose reasons for leaving and Radio Pakistan issued no official statement.
• Journalists, including Fauzia Kalsoom Rana, praised her Urdu diction, pronunciation and professional integrity.
• She is a Pride of Performance awardee and a lasting influence on Urdu broadcasting.