Veteran journalist Khaled Ahmed passed away in Lahore on Sunday after losing his battle with cancer. He was 81.
Ahmed was renowned for his insightful analyses, immense knowledge of local and foreign cultures, sharp wit, and unwavering dedication to intellectual discourse.
He was born in the historic Indian city of Jalandhar in 1943. After the Partition, he migrated to Pakistan and settled in Lahore.
Ahmed graduated from Government College (GC) Lahore in 1965 before going on to complete his MA (Honours) from the University of Punjab, ending up on the honour roll of the varsity. He also acquired a diploma in the German language. Later, he also learned Russian, earning a diploma in the language from Moscow State University in 1970, and he went on to serve in official positions in Russia and Eastern Europe.
He later made it to Washington DC, where he was the Pakistan fellow at the think-tank, Woodrow Wilson Centre. At the Centre, he worked on a project titled: "Sectarian Violence in Pakistan and Its Linkages to Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States," which is regarded as the definitive text on the core issue of sectarian violence in Pakistan.
After completing his education, Ahmed opted to become a bureaucrat and joined Pakistan's foreign service. But he later left the civil service and became a journalist, working and writing for some of Pakistan's most prominent journalistic outlets including The Pakistan Times, The Nation, The Frontier Post, The Friday Times — he spent many years as a consulting editor for the publication, The Daily Times and Dawn. His last journalistic engagement was with Newsweek Pakistan and Standard Pakistan as a consulting editor.
He wrote several books on the changes taking place in Pakistan, including The State in Crisis, Pakistan: Behind the Ideological Mask (Facts Behind the Great Men We Don't Want to Know), Word for Word: Stories Behind Everyday Words We Use and Pakistan's Terror Conundrum.
Khaled Ahmed is survived by a son and a daughter. His funeral prayers are scheduled to be held at Zaman Park ground at 3pm on Monday, November 18.
Tributes pour in
As news of his passing spread, those who knew him personally, professionally and intellectually paid tribute to him.
"No news could be sadder than the demise of Khaled Ahmad for those in Pakistan who cherish intellectual integrity, enlightenment of heart and creative liberalism," said veteran journalist and writer Wajahat Masood. "I have not seen a more incisive mind than that of Khaled Ahmad and with such a broad range of interests. A historian, a polyglot linguist, a diplomat, a journalist, a studious scholar of comparative religions and an economist with in-depth analysis of the dynamics of international trade dynamics.
"He was a genuinely avid reader with a facile pen. Above all, he was an incredibly affectionate teacher and an accessible friend. Khaled Saheb's departure is a loss that Pakistan could barely afford, especially in days as dark as present."
Cartoonist Sabir Nazar noted: "He was one of the best minds Pakistan [has] produced. Last of the giants."
Many took to the social media network X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their grief over Khaled Ahmed's passing.
"The intellectual giant Khaled Ahmed is no more. He was truly a fountain of knowledge with an interesting take on language, culture, politics, religion and history. He was an inspiration for seekers like me. What a loss," said writer and author Nadeem Farooq Paracha.
"RIP Khaled Ahmad. A wise and gentle giant moved through our midst and has now passed on. He will not be forgotten," said journalist Khurram Hussain.
Writer Mohammad Taqi wrote: "Veteran journalist, intellectual, and a great human being Khaled Ahmed is no more. Khaled sahib's philology column: 'A word about words' in the Frontier Post was one of its kind. Rest in peace!"
"One of Pakistan's most professional editor, genuine scholar, writer, teacher and a diplomat, Khaled Ahmed sahib passes away. A rare, learned individual , steeped in humility, so keen to teach and mentor…may Allah Bless his soul. Ameen," said writer Nasim Zehra.
"The death of veteran journalist, linguist and researcher Khalid Ahmad is a great loss as he was a source of knowledge, experience and wisdom for the younger lot. He also had the courage to speak truth to power. His departure has left a big vacuum. May the departed soul rest in peace," wrote politician Afraisiab Khattak.
"Saddened by the passing of author, journalist, and editor Khaled Ahmed. I will cherish our many conversations and discussions, and the fact that we were friends," wrote Pakistan's former ambassador to the US and author Husain Haqqani.
"Saddened to learn that Khaled Ahmad, intellectual, journalist, and editor, has passed away. He was a wonderful human being and a truly compassionate person," expressed Pakistan's former permanent representative to the United Nations and writer Maleeha Lodhi.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also expressed grief upon learning of Khaled Ahmed's passing. "A prolific writer and gifted linguist, he was a measured, progressive voice that did not shy away from expressing hard truths about the ideology, history and politics of Pakistan. For young journalists, he was hugely generous with his time and wisdom. We share the grief of his family, friends and colleagues."
"Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Khaled Ahmed sahib. A true and devoted man of letters, committed progressive, lover of the written word and a thoroughly decent man," wrote author Dr Osama Siddique. He added: "I first met him and had the privilege to briefly work under his guidance when he was editor of The Frontier Post back in 1990. Over the years, one not only benefited from his vast and diverse knowledge and love for etymology but also his ever-ready kind and indulgent words of praise. He always had something nice to say - remembering my father as that very handsome man from GC days and being generous in his rich appreciation for whatever little I have managed to do in what I do."
"We have lost a wonderful Lahori, a true global citizen and an ardent bibliophile. May you be ensconced in a wonderful library somewhere. The grandest library of them all. For that would be a fitting paradise for you. Rest in Peace."
Journalist Najam Sethi recalled that his first interaction with Khaled Ahmed came at Government College in the 1960s. Later, they worked closely together at The Friday Times, Aajkal and Daily Times.
"He was one of the most learned men in the country. Soft-spoken, humble, modest and steeped in local culture, despite being a linguist, he was a source of prodigious knowledge. The saddest part is that he went unrecognised by the state."
Senior journalist and television anchor Syed Talat Hussain remembered Ahmed as an exceptional journalist whose writings offered nuanced insights into Pakistan's complex sociopolitical landscape.
"Through his work, Khaled Ahmed earned a reputation as a thoughtful and courageous voice, unafraid to challenge prevailing narratives and conventions."
Ahmed's passing was also mourned across the border in India, where Hindustan Times columnist Vinod Sharma noted: "Foremost Pakistani linguist, journalist and intellectual Khaled Ahmed, passed away today in Lahore. Big loss to the subcontinent with the departure of the Jallandhar-born writer."