Zubeida Mustafa (1941-2025) Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Freelance Journalist
Nationality	Pakistani
Date of Birth	13/06/1941
Age	84 years (died on 09, Jul, 2025)
Birthplace	Bhusawal, Bombay, British India
Date of Death	09/07/2025

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Nickname	ZM

Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Grey

School	St. Joseph's Convent College, Karachi
College/University	University of Karachi, Pakistan London School of Economics, London, England
Degrees	B.A. and M.A. in International Relations at the University of Karachi, Pakistan Studied under Commonwealth Scholarship at the London School of Economics

Religion	Islam
Food Habit	Non-Vegetarian

Marital Status	Married

Father

Syed Mufid Hasan (a railway employee)

Mother

Khair-un-Nisa Hasan (homemaker)

Siblings

Brother	1
Sisters	3

Children

2 Daughters

Highlights	Started her journalism career as a Research Officer at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs in 1962. Became the assistant editor at Dawn newspaper in 1975, becoming the first woman in a senior position. Focused on women's issues and wrote passionately about education, health, population, and human rights. Retired in 2009 after a notable 33-year journalism career due to health problems. Published several significant works including 'My DAWN Years: Exploring Social Issues' and 'Reforming School Education in Pakistan & the Language Dilemma'. Recognized for her contributions with numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Women's Media Foundation. Continued to write columns as a freelance journalist until 2020.

Highlights

Started her journalism career as a Research Officer at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs in 1962.
Became the assistant editor at Dawn newspaper in 1975, becoming the first woman in a senior position.
Focused on women's issues and wrote passionately about education, health, population, and human rights.
Retired in 2009 after a notable 33-year journalism career due to health problems.
Published several significant works including 'My DAWN Years: Exploring Social Issues' and 'Reforming School Education in Pakistan & the Language Dilemma'.
Recognized for her contributions with numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Women's Media Foundation.
Continued to write columns as a freelance journalist until 2020.

Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/zubeidamustafadotcom/
Twitter	https://x.com/zubeidamustafa
LinkedIn	https://www.linkedin.com/in/zubeida-mustafa-73337535/

1. Zubeida Mustafa was born into a family with a strong educational background; her father worked in railways during British rule.
2. She experienced the Partition of India firsthand, moving her family from Bombay to Delhi and ultimately to Lahore.
3. Her educational journey included experiencing a scholarship at the London School of Economics.
4. Zubeida was the sole woman in a senior editorial position at Dawn for many years and took initiatives that led to the establishment of several magazines and special pages at the publication.
5. She faced multiple health challenges, including weak eyesight in her later years, yet remained dedicated to her work and public commentary.