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Murtaza Razvi

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Murtaza Razvi
Born17 December 1964
Lahore, Pakistan
Died19 April 2012 (aged 47)
Karachi, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
OccupationJournalist
Known forCandid and fearless journalism
Notable creditVillanova University alumni

Murtaza Razvi (17 December 1964 – 19 April 2012) was a senior Pakistani journalist with Dawn newspaper, Karachi, Pakistan.[1][2]

Besides Urdu language and English, he knew German, French, Hindi and Persian languages.[3]

Biography

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Murtaza Razvi held master's degrees in Ancient Indian and Islamic History (University of the Punjab, Lahore) and Political Science & International Relations (Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA). In 2009, Murtaza supervised over the huge task of merging four Dawn newspaper magazines – Sunday Magazine, The Review, Images and Gallery – into what Images Magazine is even in 2025.[3]

Murtaza Razvi served as the Resident Editor of Dawn, Lahore (2005–2007) and had worked there for over 10 years. He had also worked as a columnist and political analyst of the Indian Express newspaper. Murtaza had worked in the field of journalism for over two decades.[3][2]

Death

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He was found murdered in Karachi on 19 April 2012. The police also found a rope which apparently was used for strangulation. There were torture marks on his body, and his hands were tied.[2][4][5]

One of the editors of Dawn newspaper, Badar Alam, who was his colleague as well, reportedly said after his murder: "He knew everything about Urdu and Persian literature and poetry. He was a very cultured man...He was like a brother and a mentor to me. He was always willing to own up to his mistakes and improve".[1]

Faysal Quraishi, a noted Pakistani television and media personality, who was with him in Lahore when Murtaza was resident editor there, said, "He was both understanding and generously accomodating when it came to handling tricky situations. We had an ideal, cordial work relationship and I will miss him".[3]

Veteran newspaper journalist Zaffar Abbas reportedly said, "Murtaza was a generous friend and a highly talented journalist. In his death, the journalist fraternity has lost a fearless writer".[3]

Among his survivors, in 2012, were his wife Shahrezad Samiuddin, three minor daughters: Maya, Priya and Dina.[3]

Works

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  • Musharraf: the years in power (political biography of the former Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf; New Delhi, 2009, HarperCollins)[1][6][3]
  • Ordinary People (interviews with ordinary citizens of Pakistan about history, society, culture, etc.; Lahore, 1995, Progressive Publishers)

During his last days, he was working on the books Pittho's World & Other Stories (fiction, HarperCollins) and Pakistan Uncut (non-fiction, HarperCollins).

References

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  1. ^ a b c Tooba Masood and Saad Hasan (19 April 2012). "Mystery crime: Journalist found dead in artist's DHA studio - Murtaza Razvi was the head of Dawn's magazines". The Express Tribune newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Dawn's senior assistant editor Razvi murdered". Dawn newspaper. 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Muhammad Ali Siddiqi (19 April 2012). "Colleagues' tribute to Murtaza Razvi". Dawn newspaper. Archived from the original on 7 March 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  4. ^ Bob Dietz (20 April 2012). "Murtaza Razvi, and what should come next". Committee to Protect Journalists website. Archived from the original on 5 March 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  5. ^ Larisa Epatko (20 April 2012). "Before His Death, Dawn editor Razvi 'Wouldn't Leave Pakistan for the Moon'". Public Broadcasting Service Network (United States) (PBS.org). Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  6. ^ Maroof Raza (28 July 2009). "General in a labyrinth (President of Pakistan in 2009, General Pervez Musharraf - this article also includes a book review of author Murtaza Razvi on Musharraf)". DNA India newspaper. Archived from the original on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
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