Digitally restored full-length family photograph of Misbah Ul Islam wearing a suit and tie

Digitally restored family photograph

1933 — 2002

Misbah
Ul Islam

مصباح الاسلام

Journalist · Columnist · Speechwriter · Businessman

A life shaped by words, public service, courage and conviction.

A life in words

Misbah Ul Islam was born on April 15, 1933, in Kanpur, British India. At age 14, he migrated from India to the newly established Pakistan and began building a new life through a series of small jobs.

He later settled in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 4, Karachi. An accomplished bilingual writer in English and Urdu, he worked for Dawn News as a columnist and built a distinguished life across journalism, government service, public communication and business.

Family archive photograph described as Misbah Ul Islam standing beside Zulfikar Ali Bhutto while his eldest daughter Samia Hassan receives an autograph — 02 · From the family archive Misbah Ul Islam stands beside Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as his eldest daughter, Samia Hassan, receives an autograph. Identification supplied by the family.

From small jobs to public service

After beginning his working life with small jobs, Misbah Ul Islam secured his first government position in the late 1960s. This achievement marked the beginning of a significant career in public service.

In the early 1970s, he joined Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and moved into work connected with national public affairs.

Foreign Affairs and political life

While serving in Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the early 1970s, Misbah Ul Islam began working with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He helped prepare speeches in English and Urdu and lived in Islamabad’s E-7 sector during this period.

He was a dedicated supporter of the Pakistan Peoples Party. His association with Bhutto continued through Bhutto’s death on April 4, 1979.

His family

SpouseIntekhab Parveen

His legacy continues through his six children:

01Samia Hassan
02Najam Ul Islam (Late)
03Sadia Islam
04Saif Ul Islam
05Amin Ul Islam
06Miftah Ul Islam

Business and prosperity

Misbah Ul Islam was also a highly successful businessman. He opened his first Saifi Poultry Farm in the late 1980s and expanded the business with a second farm property in the early 1990s. He also owned a private Cessna aircraft during the 1970s.

An exact personal net worth cannot be established without surviving financial or ownership records.

Known timeline

1933: Born April 15 in Kanpur, British India
1947: Migrated from India to Pakistan at age 14
Early years: Worked a series of small jobs while establishing his life in Pakistan
Late 1960s: Secured his first government position
Early 1970s: Joined Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Early 1970s: Began working with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and became a dedicated supporter of the Pakistan Peoples Party
1970s: Lived in Islamabad’s E-7 sector while contributing to public speeches
1979: His association with Bhutto continued until Bhutto’s death
Late 1980s: Opened his first Saifi Poultry Farm
Early 1990s: Expanded Saifi Poultry Farm with a second farm property
2002: Passed away on August 4

About this record

Preserving a family history

This memorial preserves the life and work of Misbah Ul Islam through historical accounts and photographs held in the family archive. It documents his career with Dawn News, his work preparing speeches for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, his service in Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his ownership of Saifi Poultry Farm. Additional primary documents and citations will be added as the archive is digitized.