Veteran journalist Khan Nisar dies at 79 in Islamabad

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 March 2026 |  Syed Qamar Abbas

Khan Mohammad Nisar, 79, has died in Islamabad. A labor union leader who later became a senior sub-editor at The Muslim, he spent decades advocating for workers' rights and faced imprisonment for his activism. He played a key role in securing unpaid employee dues following the newspaper's closure.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Khan Mohammad Nisar, a veteran journalist and prominent labor unionist, died on Monday (March 23, 2026) in Islamabad after a prolonged illness. He was 79.

Nisar was widely known for his decades-long advocacy for workers’ rights, both in the industrial and media sectors. He first rose to prominence as a union leader while working at a fertilizer factory in Multan, where he became a leading voice for labor protections and collective bargaining.

A lifetime of labor activism

His activism often placed him at odds with powerful figures. According to colleagues and contemporaries, his outspoken stance on workers’ rights led to severe repercussions, including imprisonment at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. He also faced threats during his union activities, reflecting the risks associated with labor organizing during politically turbulent periods.

In 1979, when the English-language daily The Muslim began publication from Islamabad, Nisar transitioned into journalism, joining as a sub-editor. Over time, he was promoted to senior sub-editor, gaining recognition not only for his editorial work but also for his continued leadership in journalists’ unions.

Champion of media workers’ rights

During his tenure at The Muslim, which ceased publication in November 1998, Nisar played a key role in advocating for the rights of newspaper employees. His legal efforts were instrumental in securing long-delayed dues for workers after the newspaper’s closure, a significant achievement in Pakistan’s media labor landscape.

Following a period of unemployment after the shutdown, he later joined the English daily The News as a senior sub-editor. He remained associated with the publication until health issues forced him to step back from active work in recent years.

Colleagues remember Nisar as a principled and deeply knowledgeable figure, particularly in legal matters related to labor rights. His integrity and commitment earned him respect among journalists in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as well as among industrial workers in Multan.

His funeral prayers were to be offered after Zuhr prayers on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) at a mosque near his residence in Chak Shehzad, Islamabad.

Legacy across industries

Nisar’s legacy spans both industrial labor movements and the journalism profession, highlighting the interconnected struggles for workers’ rights across sectors. His contributions to union organizing and legal advocacy continue to resonate among media workers facing job insecurity and delayed wages.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Khan Nisar’s career underscores the critical role of unions in protecting journalists’ rights in Pakistan, particularly during times of media closures and financial instability. His success in securing dues for laid-off workers offers a precedent for collective action in today’s evolving media landscape.

ATTRIBUTION: Information provided by colleagues and contemporaries of Khan Mohammad Nisar and publicly shared funeral and biographical details (March 23, 2026).

PHOTO: Photo courtesy of the author