Early Life and Background
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Born: 1941 in pre-Partition India; migrated to Pakistan after independence.
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Education:
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Attended St. Joseph’s Convent, Karachi.
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Earned BA and MA in International Relations from the University of Karachi.
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Studied at the London School of Economics (LSE) on a Commonwealth Scholarship (did not complete degree due to personal commitments).
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Grew up in a household that valued literacy and social responsibility, which influenced her future career.
Trailblazing Career at Dawn
Zubeida Mustafa joined Dawn, Pakistan’s most prestigious English-language newspaper, in 1975, becoming:
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The first female staffer in a senior editorial position at Dawn.
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Among the first women journalists in mainstream Pakistani media.
Career Highlights:
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Worked at Dawn for 33 years (1975–2008).
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Started as Assistant Editor, later became a Senior Columnist and Editorial Board Member.
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Launched special sections in Dawn that had a lasting impact:
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Women’s Issues
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Health and Education
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Books & Authors
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Science and Society
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After retiring in 2008, she continued contributing regular columns focusing on education, women’s rights, health, and minority issues.
Themes and Focus Areas in Journalism
Zubeida Mustafa championed truth, inclusivity, and equity in her journalism. She covered areas that were often underreported or considered taboo at the time:
| Topic | Focus |
|---|---|
| Women's Rights | Domestic violence, honor crimes, workplace harassment, lack of representation |
| Education | Medium of instruction, public vs. private education divide, language policy |
| Public Health | Reproductive health, population planning, HIV/AIDS awareness, malnutrition |
| Human Rights | Minorities’ plight, religious intolerance, press freedom |
| Political Accountability | Military influence, democracy, judicial activism, electoral integrity |
She insisted on factual, research-based writing and criticized both state and private actors for failing the people.
Books and Publications
Zubeida Mustafa authored influential books, many of which are used in academic, journalistic, and policy-making circles:
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My DAWN Years: Exploring Social Issues (2008)
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A memoir chronicling her journalistic journey.
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Offers deep insights into Pakistan’s evolving media landscape.
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Reforming School Education in Pakistan & the Language Dilemma (2021)
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Examines Pakistan’s fragmented education system.
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Advocates for mother tongue instruction, citing global research and equity.
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Numerous essays in local and international journals on:
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Development
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Peace-building
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Gender policy
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Education reform
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Awards and Recognition
| Award | Year | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Population Institute Global Media Award (USA) | 1986 & 2004 | For exceptional work on population and health issues |
| International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) Lifetime Achievement Award | 2012 | First Pakistani woman to receive this global recognition |
| Women Leaders Award (President of Pakistan) | 2020 | Honoring her leadership in journalism |
| Zubeida Mustafa Journalism Award (by Dawn) | Established 2013 | Celebrates women in journalism committed to social causes |
Legacy and Influence
Impact on Women in Journalism
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Inspired a generation of female journalists including:
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Rafia Zakaria
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Beena Sarwar
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Nasim Zehra
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Munizae Jahangir
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Advocated for gender balance in newsrooms, not only in numbers but also in assigning important beats like politics, foreign affairs, and conflict reporting.
Advocate for Ethical Journalism
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Refused to sensationalize or distort facts for readership.
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Maintained a strong commitment to objectivity, context, and fairness.
Mentorship and Advocacy
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Mentored young journalists privately and through workshops.
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Contributed to media ethics training programs in Pakistan.
Passing and Tributes (2025)
Zubeida Mustafa passed away on 9 July 2025, at the age of 84 in Karachi, after a prolonged illness.
Tributes:
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Karachi Press Club: Called her a “pillar of Pakistani journalism.”
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Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: Recognized her as “a voice of the voiceless.”
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Political leaders, former colleagues, and women’s rights groups paid heartfelt tributes.
Her funeral was attended by a cross-section of society — journalists, educators, human rights defenders, and ordinary citizens.
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