Summary
- LAHORE: Veteran journalist Shahzada Irfan Ahmed passed away in Lahore on Monday at the age of 56, leaving behind a significant professional legacy and a deep sense of loss among colleagues, friends and members of Pakistan’s journalism community.
- Beyond his published work, Shahzada Irfan was widely remembered for the support and guidance he extended to younger and fellow journalists.
- His passing marks the loss of a journalist whose career combined reporting, professional commitment and mentorship.
LAHORE: Veteran journalist Shahzada Irfan Ahmed passed away in Lahore on Monday at the age of 56, leaving behind a significant professional legacy and a deep sense of loss among colleagues, friends and members of Pakistan’s journalism community.
Shahzada Irfan was associated with The News Internationalfor many years and was also linked with The News on Sunday. During his career, he served as a staff and senior correspondent, reporting on a wide range of subjects including the economy, health, human rights, law, security, social affairs and climate change.
His reporting reflected a broad understanding of the social and institutional challenges facing Pakistan. Through his work, he consistently focused on issues of public interest and developed a reputation for professional journalism, intellectual depth and commitment to his craft.
One of the major milestones of his career came in 2009 when he was selected as a Daniel Pearl Fellow. Through the fellowship, he became the first Pakistani journalist to work at the Houston Chronicle in Texas. The opportunity provided an important international dimension to his professional experience and marked a notable achievement in his journalistic career.
Beyond his published work, Shahzada Irfan was widely remembered for the support and guidance he extended to younger and fellow journalists. Colleagues recalled him as an experienced professional who was willing to share his knowledge, offer advice and encourage others in their careers.
His influence was particularly evident in the tributes shared following his death. Journalist Raza Rumi mourned the loss of his school friend and colleague, expressing disbelief over his passing while recalling that Shahzada Irfan had been unwell.
Dr Hassan Shehzad also remembered his contribution to journalism, particularly his extensive reporting on the development sector. Such recollections reflected the professional respect he earned among journalists and those who worked closely with him.
Shahzada Irfan’s contribution to journalism extended beyond the stories he produced. His colleagues remembered his ability to guide others and help aspiring journalists understand the demands and responsibilities of the profession. For many who interacted with him, his mentorship became an important part of their own professional journeys.
Academically, Shahzada Irfan was a law graduate and also held a master’s degree in political science. His educational background contributed to the breadth of his reporting and enabled him to engage with complex political, legal, economic and social issues.
Over the course of his career, he remained associated with public-interest journalism and covered subjects that affected different sections of Pakistani society. His work demonstrated an interest in issues extending well beyond a single field of reporting.
His death has prompted expressions of grief from journalists’ bodies, media associations, colleagues and prominent members of the journalism fraternity. Tributes have highlighted both his professional contributions and the personal connections he developed during his years in journalism.
Shahzada Irfan Ahmed is survived by his widow and three sons.
His passing marks the loss of a journalist whose career combined reporting, professional commitment and mentorship. While his published work remains part of his journalistic record, the memories shared by colleagues also underline the influence he had on the people he guided and supported throughout his career.
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