Zubeida Mustafa – A Trailblazing Role Model for Women in Journalism

By Ali Nawaz Rahimoo

Islamabad: In the heart of Karachi, amidst the buzz of political debates, the clang of typewriters, and the echoes of deadlines, emerged a voice that transformed Pakistani journalism forever the fearless, principled, and pioneering journalist, Zubeida Mustafa. Born in 1941 in undivided India, Zubeida was raised in a time when few women in South Asia even dreamt of entering the male dominated world of journalism. But she was never one to walk the trodden path.

Armed with a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Karachi and further education from London, Zubeida had both the intellect and courage to challenge norms.  In 1975, she broke one of journalism’s most enduring glass ceilings when she became the first woman to work on the editorial staff of a Pakistani mainstream English newspaper Dawn.

At a time when female voices were barely heard in pressrooms, her appointment was revolutionary. But Zubeida didn’t stop there she proved, day after day, that journalism was not a man’s world alone.

Her columns became a beacon of truth, justice, and human rights. From exposing the struggles of the poor to advocating for women’s empowerment, education reform, and healthcare, Zubeida’s pen never wavered. She covered war, politics, and social issues with insight and integrity, often putting herself at odds with the powerful  but never compromising her principles.

Zubeida’s writing was not just reporting; it was storytelling with soul. Her calm yet compelling tone resonated with thousands. She used her voice to speak for the voiceless, often shedding light on the plight of women and children in underserved regions of Pakistan.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/the-woman-who-refused-to-walk-away/

Her work helped shape public discourse and inspired many young journalists, particularly women, to step into the field with pride. She also played a pivotal editorial role at Dawn, mentoring reporters and ensuring that the paper upheld the values of ethical journalism.  In 2009, she retired from her formal journalistic role but continued to write as an independent columnist.

Her work retained the same honesty, depth of insight, and compassion for humanity until her final days. Despite facing vision impairment and other health challenges, she never stopped writing. Zubeida Mustafa authored two significant books addressing Pakistan’s social and educational issues: My Years of Mornings: A Quest for Social Issues (2008) and Reforming School Education and the Language Problem in Pakistan (2021). Zubeida Mustafa received numerous national and international awards in recognition of her journalistic contributions.

Some of the key accolades include:

Global Media Award for Journalistic Excellence (1986, 2004)

Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation (2012)

Women Leaders Award from the President of Pakistan (2020)

The Dawn Media Group established the Zubeida Mustafa Award for Journalistic Excellence in her honor.

Even after retiring, Zubeida continued to write and contribute, becoming a symbol of unwavering commitment to truth and dignity in media. Over the years, she received numerous accolades, including the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, in recognition of her lifelong dedication to journalistic integrity and press freedom.

When Zubeida Mustafa passed away on July 9, 2025, Pakistan didn’t just lose a journalist  it lost a voice of conscience. Tributes poured in from around the globe, remembering her as a trailblazer, a mentor, and a moral compass for journalism. Her legacy lives on in every woman who picks up a pen and dares to speak the truth. In the classrooms where she fought for better education. In the households where her columns sparked change.

Zubeida Mustafa was not just a journalist; she was a movement  one that made space for women in the newsroom, not just as reporters, but as leaders. Yesterday as journalism faces new challenges and evolving threats, her story serves as a reminder, Truth has a voice, and sometimes, it wears a woman’s name.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.