KARACHI, Nov 23: Veteran journalist and icon of economic journalism S.G.M. Budruddin died here on Thursday. He was 88.

His funeral prayers will be offered after Friday prayers at Masjid-i-Shaheen, Khyaban-i-Rahat, adjacent to the Cantonment Board, Phase VI of the DHA.

According to family members, Mr Budruddin passed away on his way to hospital. He had chest infection.

Mr Budruddin started his career in the Indian Administrative Service, but soon realised that he was not cut out for the job. In Pakistan, he remained associated with a number of newspapers and excelled in economic journalism. He was on the editorial board of Morning News, Karachi, when it was one of the important newspapers of the country. He was transferred to Dhaka where he became its resident editor and served in that position during a trying phase of Pakistan’s history.

After the fall of Dhaka, when he came to this part of the country, Mr Budruddin became editor of daily Musawat. He held that position till after former prime minister Z.A. Bhutto was overthrown by Gen Ziaul Haq. He went through many difficult moments because of his forthright approach on critical issues.

He was the founding editor of Dawn’s weekly economic bulletin, the EBR. He also remained associated with Financial Post. He later became chairman of Mediators, a public relations consultancy firm.

Mr Budruddin was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and some other ailments.

His death is regarded as a great loss to journalism. Some of his close associates said the void created by his death would be difficult to fill. They praised him for being vocal against military rulers and taking bold stand on issues of public concern.

He is survived by four sons and two daughters.