Dr. Mubashar Naqvi
Sometimes language itself falls silent. You may hold enough memories to fill a book, yet when faced with the sorrow of bidding farewell, even a single sentence feels impossible. I never thought the day would come when I would be writing an obituary for my beloved mentor, Syed Munawar Hussain Naqvi, Resident Editor of The Financial Daily International.
He breathed his last on the morning of Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the age of seventy-four, and was laid to rest the same day in Islamabad, where family, friends, colleagues, and members of the media fraternity gathered to pay their respects. His sudden passing came as a shock to me personally, as only a day earlier, we had been in touch, as we often were since 2015. From the day he invited me to contribute to The Financial Daily, our bond became one of constant connection—sometimes through a simple WhatsApp message, sometimes a short email, sometimes a call. His words were always filled with encouragement, his advice always thoughtful, and his guidance always generous.
Munawar Naqvi’s professional journey was as rich and inspiring as it was. He began his career at The Daily Sun in Karachi, later serving in its Lahore edition before moving on to The Daily Muslim and The Nation in Islamabad. His dedication and intellect also took him into public service, where he joined the Higher Education Commission as Editor of Higher Education News. Through hard work and vision, he rose to the position of Director of Academics at the HEC, where he made significant contributions to Pakistan’s higher education sector before retiring from that role. Afterward, he returned to his first love—journalism—and continued his lifelong commitment to truth and knowledge. At The Financial Daily International, he served with distinction as Resident Editor and became widely recognized for his influential weekly column “Capital Watch,” where he provided sharp and balanced insights on political, economic, and social affairs. His words carried weight, and his analysis was trusted across the fraternity.
But to me, and to many others who were fortunate enough to know him personally, he was much more than a journalist or editor. He was a man of immense courtesy, humility, and piety. He carried himself with the gentleness of a true gentleman, one whose communication style, patience, and wisdom left an indelible impression. He had the rare ability to correct without hurting, to guide without imposing, and to inspire without demanding. His presence was reassuring, his mentorship empowering, and his humanity unforgettable.
It pains me beyond words that I could not attend his funeral, nor can I still fully absorb the reality of his departure. His sudden absence has left an irreplaceable void in my life, in the newsroom, and in the hearts of all who knew him. Journalism often prides itself on giving people the words to explain the world, but his passing has left me, like many others, wordless.
My deepest condolences go to his family, especially his brother Manzar Naqvi, Executive Editor of The Financial Daily, who not only shared blood ties with him but also a professional mission that shaped the very identity of this newspaper. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his wife, his son Abbas Naqvi, his daughter Sadaf Naqvi, and his extended family, who must bear the greatest weight of this loss. I also stand with the editorial team of The Financial Daily, who have lost not only a colleague but also a mentor, guide, and friend.
The loss of Munawar Naqvi is not only personal; it is a collective loss to Pakistani journalism. His career, his ethics, and his writing will remain a source of inspiration for many years to come. His life was a reminder that greatness is not measured by position or power but by humility, honesty, and the ability to uplift others. His professional legacy and his personal warmth will continue to live on in the memories and work of those he influenced.
May Almighty Allah bless his soul with eternal peace behaq Muhammad o Aal-e-Muhammad (ﷺ), forgive his shortcomings, and grant him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous. May He also grant patience and strength to his family, friends, colleagues, and all of us who have been left shattered by this irreparable loss.
I humbly request all readers to join me in reciting Surah Al-Fatiha for his departed soul.
