PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007 emergency as Pakistan’s darkest day
November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 months ago | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD – Zubeida Mustafa, a pioneer of women’s journalism in Pakistan and a tireless advocate for the marginalized, passed away Wednesday evening in Karachi. She was 84.
Known affectionately as ‘Mrs Mustafa’ or ‘ZM’ among colleagues at Dawn, she served the newspaper with distinction for 33 years, retiring in 2008 as Assistant Editor. During her tenure, she played a vital role in launching supplements such as the Education Page and Books & Authors—Pakistan’s first English-language literary magazine by a mainstream publication.
According to Dawn, she was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Convent and Karachi University (MA in International Relations). ZM also attended the London School of Economics, although she didn’t complete her studies there. She began her professional career at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs before being recruited by Dawn editor Ahmad Ali Khan—a man she admired for his progressive values and support for women’s rights.
As noted by journalist Zohra Yusuf, ZM’s quiet but firm influence on Dawn’s editorial voice was profound. She introduced a consistent “women’s perspective” to the newspaper’s opinion pieces and focused her writing on education, human rights, and the issues faced by marginalized communities.
“She was legally visually impaired, yet remained active until this year,” shared Dawn’s op-ed editor Ayesha Azfar. “Her last column appeared in March. Despite her failing health, she continued to attend seminars and advocate for education, women, and health.”
ZM authored two books: My DAWN Years — Exploring Social Issues and Reforming School Education in Pakistan & the Language Dilemma. Her achievements were recognized both locally and internationally. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation in 2012. In 2013, Pakistan Herald Publications Limited introduced the “ZM Award for Journalistic Excellence” in her honor.
Naeem Sadiq, activist and columnist, remembered her fondly: “She was a great woman, a good friend, and a moral compass for many. She taught us values and professional ethics.”
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said she “championed social, cultural, and language rights like few others,” while the Karachi Press Club mourned her as “not just a journalist; she was an institution.”
“Her work on social issues, education, and health was particularly impactful,” said KPC President Fazil Jamili and Secretary Sohail Afzal Khan. “She leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of journalists.”
Photo courtesy: Dawn
اسلام آباد – پاکستان میں خواتین کی صحافت کی بانی اور پسماندہ طبقات کی پرجوش آواز، زبیدہ مصطفیٰ بدھ کی شام کراچی میں 84 برس کی عمر میں انتقال کر گئیں۔
’ڈان‘ میں اپنے ساتھیوں میں ’مسز مصطفیٰ‘ یا ’زی ایم‘ کے نام سے مشہور، انہوں نے 33 سال اخبار کی خدمت کی اور 2008 میں اسسٹنٹ ایڈیٹر کے عہدے سے ریٹائر ہوئیں۔ اپنے دور میں انہوں نے ایجوکیشن پیج اور Books & Authors جیسے سپلیمنٹس متعارف کروائے، جو پاکستان میں کسی بڑے انگریزی اخبار کی جانب سے پہلا ادبی میگزین تھا۔
انہوں نے سینٹ جوزف کانوینٹ کراچی سے تعلیم حاصل کی، کراچی یونیورسٹی سے بین الاقوامی تعلقات میں ماسٹرز کیا، اور لندن اسکول آف اکنامکس میں بھی کچھ عرصہ زیر تعلیم رہیں۔
انہوں نے پاکستان انسٹیٹیوٹ آف انٹرنیشنل افیئرز سے اپنے پیشہ ورانہ سفر کا آغاز کیا، بعد ازاں ’ڈان‘ کے ایڈیٹر احمد علی خان کی دعوت پر اخبار سے وابستہ ہوئیں۔ انہیں ایک ترقی پسند شخص اور خواتین کے حقوق کے حامی کے طور پر یاد کرتی تھیں۔
صحافی زہرہ یوسف کے مطابق، زبیدہ مصطفیٰ نے ڈان کی ادارت میں خاموش مگر مؤثر کردار ادا کیا۔ انہوں نے اداریوں میں خواتین کے نقطہ نظر کو شامل کیا اور تعلیم، انسانی حقوق، اور پسے ہوئے طبقات پر لکھا۔
ڈان کی اوپ-ایڈ ایڈیٹر عائشہ اظفر نے کہا، ’’وہ قانونی طور پر بصارت سے محروم تھیں، مگر انہوں نے مارچ تک کالم لکھا، سیمینارز میں شرکت کی، اور تعلیم، خواتین اور صحت پر سرگرم رہیں۔‘‘
انہوں نے دو کتابیں لکھیں: My DAWN Years اور Reforming School Education in Pakistan & the Language Dilemma۔ 2012 میں انہیں انٹرنیشنل ویمنز میڈیا فاؤنڈیشن کی جانب سے لائف ٹائم اچیومنٹ ایوارڈ سے نوازا گیا۔ 2013 میں پاکستان ہیرالڈ پبلیکیشنز نے ان کے نام سے "زی ایم ایوارڈ برائے صحافتی مہارت" شروع کیا۔
کالم نگار نعیم صادق نے کہا، ’’وہ نہایت بااخلاق، پیشہ ورانہ اصولوں کی علمبردار اور ہمارے لیے ایک راہنما تھیں۔‘‘
ہیومن رائٹس کمیشن آف پاکستان نے کہا، ’’انہوں نے سماجی، ثقافتی اور لسانی حقوق کے لیے مثالی کام کیا۔‘‘ کراچی پریس کلب نے انہیں "ایک ادارہ" قرار دیا۔
کراچی پریس کلب کے صدر فضل جمیلی اور سیکرٹری سہیل افضل خان نے کہا، ’’ان کی تعلیم، صحت اور سماجی مسائل پر کی گئی صحافت نے بے شمار لوگوں کی زندگیوں پر اثر ڈالا۔ ان کی وراثت نسلوں کے لیے مشعل راہ رہے گی۔‘‘
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