KARACHI, Jan 5: A senior journalist, economic writer, columnist and poet, Mr Rafique Jabir, died here on Thursday after a brief illness. He was 75. A former editor of the defunct Morning News and the Trade and Industry weekly, he was known as a leading economic writer and analyst, with cotton and stocks being his forte.

Mr Jabir remained associated with a number of newspapers and held senior positions. He was also a founding member of the Karachi Press Club.

He portrayed a true picture of the country’s economy in his writings which appeared in various national English dailies. He analysed budget and national economy, wrote editorials, articles and research reports for the Khaleej Times, Pakistan Times, Dawn, The Nation, The Muslim, Business Today, Statesman and other papers.

He remained associated with the directorate of Films and Publications in the mid-60s and was its news editor. For about 10 years, he worked for the Morning News and became its editor in the early 80s. Afterwards, he joined the Trade and Industry weekly as its editor between 1982 and 83, and started writing reports for the ministry of economic affairs.

He started his career in 1949 and joined the Times of Karachi. Later, he worked for the Indus Times, Hyderabad, the Associated Press of Pakistan and the Sun. He brought out his own newspaper, the Patriot, in 1971. Subsequently, he joined the Pakistan Times and then The Sun as its assistant editor. At present, he was an editorial consultant for The News.

His collection of poetry “Munfarid” was published only last year.

He leaves behind five sons and seven daughters.

His funeral prayers will be offered at Masjid Babul Ilm, Water Pump, North Nazimabad, after Juma prayers, and he will be buried at Wadi-i-Hussain graveyard near Toll Plaza gate.

Soyem will be held on Sunday after Zuhr at Masjid Babul Ilm. Arrangements for women have been made at his residence —A-109 Iram Shopping Emporium, Buffer Zone.