Former APP DG Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed laid to rest in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Mar, 2026) Former Director General of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and former senior bureaucrat of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed, was laid to rest here on Tuesday at the H-8 graveyard. He passed away on Sunday at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness.

A large number of dignitaries, family members, colleagues, and students attended the funeral prayer to pay their last respects to the deceased, who had a distinguished career in public service, media, and academia.

Among those present were former Federal Secretary Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Gondal, former Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Muhammad Saleem Baig, senior analyst and anchorperson Mateen Haider, Chairman Department of Arabic National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakar Bhutta, and former senator Farhatullah Babar, along with officers, faculty members, and students of NUML.

Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed had a long and illustrious career spanning several decades. During his service in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, he held key positions and represented Pakistan in important media-related diplomatic assignments abroad. He served as Press Counselor at the Pakistan Embassy in Germany and later as Press Minister at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, India.

In 2002, he was appointed Director General of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the national news agency. In this role, he supervised the news service and worked with journalists and editors across the country.

Following his retirement from government service, he joined the NUML, Islamabad, where he served as Professor and Head of the Department of Mass Communication. He remained actively engaged in teaching, mentoring students, and promoting research in media studies.

He also remained linked with journalism and wrote for national newspapers. During this period, he worked with English-language newspapers The News and Dawn in Islamabad.

The deceased is survived by three sons and two daughters.

Talking to APP, Senior analyst and anchorperson Mateen Haider paid rich tribute to Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed, describing him as a compassionate teacher and an inspiring mentor who always extended full support to his students. He said a large number of students attended the funeral, reflecting the deep respect and affection they had for him.

“He treated every student with kindness and gave immediate guidance whenever anyone approached him for research or academic help. His dedication to teaching during his nearly decade-long tenure as head of department left a lasting impact on countless students,” he added.

He said Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed had an illustrious career in media and diplomacy. He served as Press Counselor in Germany and later as Press Minister at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, where he spent eight years building strong ties with the Indian media. “He played a key role in countering anti-Pakistan propaganda and projecting a positive image of the country. His efforts were acknowledged even by sections of the Indian media,” he noted. He added that despite holding prominent positions, he remained a simple and humble person, and his services to journalism, academia, and Pakistan would be remembered for a long time.

Dr. Aatif Iftikhar, Assistant Professor at NUML, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of his teacher and colleague, saying he was a remarkable individual whose personality combined wisdom, compassion, and professionalism. He noted that Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed not only guided students and colleagues within the university but also made significant contributions across journalism, bureaucracy, public relations, and the Information Group. “He possessed great insight, empathy, and an exceptional ability to handle matters with balance and foresight,” he said, adding that his demise has created a huge void in the media and academic community.

Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakar Bhutta, Chairman Department of Arabic at NUML, expressed profound grief over the passing of Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed, describing him as a deeply respected scholar, teacher, and colleague. He said he had known him for over two decades and always found him kind, compassionate, and highly respected among faculty members. He highlighted that Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed possessed remarkable wisdom and a balanced approach in dealing with people and matters.

Raja Kamran also paid tribute, stating that Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmed remained his teacher and mentor for over two decades and inspired thousands of students through his knowledge and experience. He described him as a humble, kind, and insightful personality whose contributions to NUML and the field of mass communication will be remembered for years.