Renowned journalist Arshad Zuberi passed away in Karachi after a prolonged illness on Sunday, his family said. He was 72.

He served as the deputy chief executive of the Business Recorder Group. He is survived by his wife and three children.

The funeral prayer for Zuberi will be held on Monday at 1:30pm at the Noor-e-Salam Mosque in Zamzama Park, Defence.

Profile

Arshad Zuberi earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the USA in 1973 and joined the Business Recorder Group’s APEX PRINTRY as Technical Director in 1974.

He was responsible for the security printing of bank documents. Zuberi started the section for the manufacture of continuous business form stationery in 1976.

He then became the printer and publisher of the Daily Business Recorder in 1981. In 1983, he was entrusted with the task of selecting equipment and transforming publication news settings from hot metal to a cold set computerised film setting.

In 1985, Zuberi was promoted to deputy chief executive and was looking after administration, accounts, and advertising.

Founded by his late father MA Zuberi – a pioneer of business and financial journalism in Pakistan – Business Recorder grew manifolds under the leadership of Arshad Zuberi.

Zuberi had remarkable knowledge of fiscal and monetary policy instruments and of the macro economy at large. He combined his knowledge with investigative skills and courageously exposed unethical practices without fear or favour.

His editorials led to successes in deregulating and liberalising a controlled economy and helped banking and corporate regulators improve their oversight. His input in documenting the economy and enlarging the tax base made him a valuable resource.

Zuberi served as the secretary general of All Pakistan Newspaper Society a number of times. Under his tenure, the APNS became an efficient clearinghouse for newspaper advertising. He was also the founding member and the first secretary general of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association – a body representing television and radio broadcasters.

He served as a member of the Tax Reform Coordination of FBR from 2010-2013.