JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 hours ago | JP Staff Report
Join our WhatsApp channel
Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi passed away in Shorkot after a long illness. Friends and colleagues remember his humor, resilience, and lifelong commitment to journalism.Summary
ISLAMABAD — The journalist fraternity is mourning the loss of senior journalist Javed Iqbal, affectionately known as Javed Jaidi, who passed away in his hometown, Shorkot, after a prolonged illness. He was remembered by colleagues as a man of humility, humor, and resilience, a journalist who, despite the hardships of life, never lost his smile or spirit.
Born and raised in Shorkot, Jaidi’s journey to journalism began with dreams far bigger than his small-town roots. After completing his studies in journalism at the University of the Punjab, he moved to Islamabad, where he spent most of his professional life working in print and broadcast media. Over the years, he contributed to several major news outlets, including The News, NewsOne TV, and other newspapers, earning the respect and affection of peers across newsrooms.
His career, though modest in material rewards, was rich in friendships and experiences. A chain-smoker and a man of simple pleasures, Jaidi’s happiness often revolved around small joys — a good story, a strong cup of tea, or a few cigarettes shared with friends after a long day’s work. Despite financial struggles, he was renowned for his generosity, humor, and ability to find humor in even the toughest situations. Friends often recalled how he would cheerfully ask them for a few rupees when he was short on cash, only to treat them later when times improved.
Years ago, while working at the University of Sargodha, Jaidi suffered a severe stroke that marked the beginning of a long, painful struggle for recovery. Though he regained partial health and continued to stay optimistic, the illness left lasting effects. Even so, he remained intellectually sharp, socially engaged, and deeply connected with his circle of friends and colleagues until his final days.
In Rawalpindi, Jaidi lived for many years in a modest hostel room in the Commercial Center Market area of Satellite Town. He shared that space, and countless memories, with his younger brother Tariq Hassan, lovingly known as Tari, also a journalist. Their companionship was legendary among friends; the two were inseparable in life and now, tragically, in memory. Tariq passed away in August last year after a brave battle with lung cancer, leaving Jaidi heartbroken but resolute.
A passionate unionist, Jaidi was a familiar face at the local Press Club and participated actively in journalist union activities, always standing up for the rights of his peers. Those who knew him describe him as a man who lived with honesty, loyalty, and an unshakable sense of camaraderie, qualities that endeared him to all who crossed his path.
His passing has left a deep void among friends and colleagues, many of whom took to social media to express their grief and share memories of his humor, warmth, and indomitable spirit. “He lived life on his own terms,” one friend wrote, “and taught us that even in hardship, joy can be found in the simplest of things.”
Javed Iqbal Jaidi’s story is a poignant reminder of the many unsung heroes of journalism — those who labor quietly behind the headlines, driven not by fame or fortune, but by the sheer love of the craft.
May his soul rest in peace.
November 07, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches a Middle East section to expand regional reporting. New coverage will follow JPâs editorial SOPsâverification, balanced sourcing, and two-stage reviewâplaced between Asia and World on the Home Page.
November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistanâs Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.
November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tararâs job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.
November 05, 2025: PTIâs Faisal Chaudhryâs witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTVâs âG for Gharidahâ goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.
November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.
November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwatâs vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.
November 07, 2025 UN and rights groups warn of escalating media repression in Myanmar, citing arrests, censorship, and digital surveillance that threaten to erase independent journalism.
November 07, 2025 Iran has intensified online censorship, blocking independent news sites and social channels, sparking protests from journalist groups over the growing suppression of press freedom.
November 07, 2025 Six Turkish journalists have been summoned over coverage of opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and political repression in Turkey.
November 07, 2025 Over 285 journalists have been killed in Gaza since 2023, exposing a severe impunity crisis and raising calls for global action to protect press freedom.
November 07, 2025 Arab states are tightening digital content laws, with new regulations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt raising fresh concerns about media freedom and online expression.