Renowned Pakistani anchorperson Mishal Bukhari passes away

Renowned Pakistani journalist and anchorperson Mishal Bukhari passed away at the age of 38 in Lahore Tuesday night, Daily Jang reported.

Bukhari, an award-winning broadcast journalist, had been battling cancer for years.

Her funeral prayers will be held today (Wednesday) at 1pm at Jamia Masjid-al-Muntazir, Lahore.

Bukhari's sad demise was announced by her husband, Ameer Abbas, who is also a renowned anchorperson, on Twitter.

"My wife, journalist Mishal Bukhari, a beautiful heart, an incomparable personality, an incredibly patient, unbelievably brave woman, left an unbearable shock after fighting cancer for two years,” Abbas wrote.

Bukhari was born on July 8, 1984 in Karachi and started her career as a news anchor on a private TV channel. She also worked for Pakistan Television.

The news of her sad demise triggered an outpour of reactions from fellow journalists and politicians, who offered their condolences.

Senior journalist Rauf Klasra expressed grief over Bukhari's death.

"Remembering #mishalbukhari our host #AppTV who lost battle against cancer in Lahore on Tuesday evening. Thoughts of our team members with whom she worked are with her parents, family," wrote Rauf Klasra. 

Former deputy speaker Qasim Khan Suri offered condolences and prayed for the departed soul and her family members.

PTI leader Shireen Mazari offered her condolences and prayed for the patience and strength for the deceased's family. 

Maritime Affairs Minister Faisal Subzwari prayed for the family members and the deceased journalist. 

Columnist Dr Shahid Masood also offered his condolences and prayers. 

Pakistan lost another journalist at the very outset of 2023 after 2022, a year riddled with several tragic deaths, including senior Pakistani journalists. The last year saw shocking deaths of famous televengalist Aamir Liaquat Hussain, anchorperson Arshad Sharif and Jang Group President Imran Aslam. 

In July 2022, the news of sudden death of Hussain sent shockwaves across the country. This was followed by the tragic death of Sharif, who was shot dead in a case of "mistaken identity" by the Kenyan police in Nairobi in October. 

Later, in December, Aslam, a giant of journalism, passed away at a local hospital.