The passion used to exist decades back, some twenty-five years ago, before his pen finally rested in 2001 at the age of 62. When we see journalists around us, we often wonder why they chose journalism, and we frequently receive answers about their passion for telling and observing stories, a passion which we never understand deeply enough. But there was once a journalist, and as we follow his path, imagine a successful man wearing his signature safari suit, he showed us what journalism meant to him.

To understand his unmatched dedication and passion, one only needs to look back at that terrifying day at the Daily Nawa-i-Waqt office. During a violent attack on the premises where protestors set the entire office building ablaze, a situation where anyone else would have completely abandoned their career and fled to save their life, Nayyar Alvi stayed until the very last moment. With flames consuming the building and panic all around, he had to climb to the rooftop and jump over to an adjoining building just to make his daring escape. That wasn’t just a job; it was an extraordinary testament to a life lived for the news.   

Beyond that remarkable courage, his journey through the press was shaped by years of steady commitment. After completing his studies at Punjab University, Mr. Alvi began his career in journalism as a sub-editor at Jang in Rawalpindi and then graduated from S.M. Law College in Karachi, where he also earned a Master’s degree in politics from Karachi University. His name was linked to some of the country’s most prominent newsrooms over the years; he was the founding news editor of Jang and served as the executive editor of several other publications, such as Mashal, Sadaqat, Daily Sun, Anjam, Ailan and the National Book Foundation, where he brought his editorial talent. He also had his share of prestigious assignments, such as covering President Zia’s much-talked-about trip to Southeast Asia, as well as becoming the founding editor/publisher of Lakson Group’s Daily Express in 1998, translating literary works, writing political and social commentaries for television and radio, and having a decade-long stint in copywriting.

Nevertheless, what made Nayyar Alvi remarkable was not merely his successful work, but also the true warmth and joy that he possessed within. He was polite, had wonderful humor, a good sense of style, and was a devoted family man in his private life. He loved spending his free time with his three sons and his daughter, who was his favorite child. He watched hockey with immense interest, often accurately predicting the outcomes of major matches, and he always stayed very optimistic about Pakistan. This was vividly demonstrated during the legendary final of the 1982 Asian Games played in India, where the home team reached the final and performed strongly in front of their crowd. Pakistan also made it to the final, and though India scored early and everyone thought it was already over, Mr. Alvi remained confident and predicted that Pakistan would not only tie the game but win it. True to his word, Pakistan won 7-1 in a completely one-sided victory, and the family celebrated the memorable win for a long time.

One core value he left behind was unbiased reporting and the honest narration of facts. As an intellectual with strong, clear opinions, he always maintained a professional, neutral approach in his journalistic duties. As we mark his death anniversary today, we celebrate his remarkable life and honor his enduring memory, ensuring that through initiatives like the scholarship bearing his name, his passion and grace continue to inspire future generations of journalists to uphold the true spirit of the craft.