Ishrat Fatima, A Voice of Radio Pakistan, Retires Silently After 45 Years

After a distinguished career spanning approximately 45 years, Ishrat Fatima, one of the most revered voices in Pakistan’s broadcasting history, has quietly stepped away from radio and television. Her silent departure from Radio Pakistan has left a profound sense of loss within journalistic and media circles.

In her brief farewell, Fatima attributed her professional achievements to the grace of God and the upbringing provided by her parents. She mentioned that the decision to leave Radio Pakistan was an extremely difficult one, though she did not disclose specific reasons for her retirement. The institution has also not issued an official statement regarding her exit.

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Ishrat Fatima was renowned for setting a standard in broadcasting through her impeccable language, tone, and pronunciation. Her voice became synonymous with national broadcasts for decades, promoting the elegance of the Urdu language among the public.

Senior journalist Fauzia Kulsoom Rana paid tribute, stating that Fatima’s career was not merely defined by its length but by a collection of memorable moments and broadcasts remembered at national and international levels. She emphasized that multifaceted and dignified broadcasters like Ishrat Fatima are rare in broadcasting history.

Javeria Siddique, wife of the late journalist Arshad Sharif, also praised Fatima’s contributions on social media platform X. She noted that generations learned the art of conversation, writing, and expression by listening to Ishrat Fatima on PTV. Siddique described her as humble, modest, and sincere towards Pakistan, while questioning why such a valuable asset was simply retired without being retained in a mentoring or advisory role to pass her experience to the next generation.

FAQs About Ishrat Fatima’s Retirement

1. Who is Ishrat Fatima?
Ishrat Fatima is a legendary Pakistani broadcaster who served with Radio Pakistan and PTV for about 45 years, known for her exceptional voice and command over Urdu.

2. Why did she retire?
The specific reasons for her silent retirement have not been publicly disclosed by her or Radio Pakistan. She only stated it was a very difficult decision.

3. What was her impact on broadcasting?
She set a high standard for news reading and presentation, influencing how Urdu is spoken publicly and becoming an iconic voice for national broadcasts.

4. How has the media community reacted?
Senior journalists and colleagues have expressed deep respect and a sense of loss, calling her a rare professional and questioning why her vast experience wasn’t formally utilized to train newer generations.