Mahtab Bashir
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD
"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind… Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." — John Donne
His sudden passing in the early hours of Thursday, June 19, 2025, due to a cardiac arrest, has left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who knew him. The news hit me like a silent thunderclap - devastating, surreal, and deeply personal. I immediately reached out to fellow journalists, desperate to confirm what my heart already feared.
Masood Malik wasn’t just a colleague; he was a presence — calm, kind, and deeply committed. As editor of Education News, he poured more energy and passion into the promotion of education than many would expect from the youngest and most zealous reporters. His tireless work inspired interns and senior journalists alike, always guiding with patience and dignity.
Fate dealt cruel blow to Mr. Malik, as if sorrow itself had been scripted into the pages of his life. Just when joy was about to bloom - his beloved son, oceans away, was to be married on Saturday, with the house meant to come alive in celebration by Friday (June 20) - the unthinkable happened. A sudden cardiac arrest stole him away, turning what should have been a weekend of laughter and love into one shadowed by heartbreak and silence.
Yet perhaps, for a soul as compassionate and luminous as Mr. Malik's, Heaven held a more fitting celebration. One imagines that the joy denied on Earth has been transformed into a celestial festival above, where love knows no sorrow, and the heart never falters.
His funeral was held at Sarwar Mosque in Bahria Enclave, followed by burial at the local cemetery. A sea of mourners gathered — educators, intellectuals, journalists, and admirers — all united in grief, paying homage to a man who had quietly uplifted Islamabad’s educational discourse.
As memories flood in, I am reminded of our countless encounters during media coverages and seminars. Whenever we met — often in hotel lobbies or press rooms — I would greet him with a wide grin and a warm hug, always jokingly asking, “Mr. Malik, how’s your blood pressure and sugar today? I hope it’s not low — let me ask them to serve the meal early!” He would chuckle heartily, eyes crinkling in mirth. That laughter — so genuine, so light - still rings in my ears.
Former President of the Federal Government Teachers Association, Malik Amir Khan, rightly said, “Masood Malik's services for the development of education in the federal capital are unforgettable. He stood firmly for honest journalism and worked relentlessly for the betterment of educational institutions.”
"With the passing of Masood Malik, Islamabad’s education landscape has lost one of its most steadfast champions," said Zafar Ali Sipra, President of the Federal Education Reporters Association (FERA). "In him, journalism had a voice that spoke softly but stood firmly for truth and integrity. For many of us, this loss is not just professional — it’s deeply personal. I have lost not only a colleague, but a dear friend,” he said.
May Allah grant Masood Malik sahib the highest place in Jannah and bless his family and colleagues with patience and strength in this dark hour. His legacy will live on — not just in the pages he edited or the institutions he supported, but in the hearts he touched so effortlessly.
