Nargis Khanum

Nargis Khanum (1943 – December 12, 2017) was a Pakistani journalist and writer. She was one of the first female English-language reporters in the country.^[1][2] She was known for her decades-long career writing for major Pakistani publications like Dawn and The Star.^[1][3]

Khanum was born in 1943 in Pune, Maharashtra, in pre-partition British India.^[2] Following the partition of India, she moved with her family to Pakistan, where she later earned a master's degree in English Literature from the University of Karachi.^[2]

In 1966, Khanum began her career in journalism, joining the newspaper Dawn as one of its first female reporters.^[2] During her time there, she covered arts and culture.^[1][4] Khanum went on to serve as news editor for the evening paper, The Star, where she also contributed a column called "Megacity Madness". Later in her career, she wrote a column for the Business Recorder.^[1]

Khanum was a chess player and frequently played chess with fellow journalist Ghazi Salahuddin at the Karachi Press Club.^[1][5]

Khanum died of a heart attack at the age of 74 on December 12, 2017, while on her way to the Karachi Press Club.^[1] Her funeral prayers were held at the Sultan Masjid, and she was laid to rest in the DHA Phase I graveyard.^[2] In 2017, the Karachi Press Club added her portrait to its murals of influential women on its boundary wall. These murals honor distinguished women who have significantly contributed to society.^[6]