UMass Donahue Institute

“Marvi Sirmed: A Beacon of Resilience in Journalism”

By Syeda Fatima Batool

Marvi Sirmed, a renowned Pakistani journalist, recently shared her heart-wrenching life story and struggles with the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) Comparative Public Policy participants at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Marvi's career spans over two decades, during which she has worked with various prominent news organizations in Pakistan. She reported (and still does) on political unrest, social issues, and human rights violations. However, her tireless pursuit of truth came at a great personal cost. Marvi faced intense pressure and threats leading to multiple investigations against her. She also survived an assassination attempt, a stark reminder of the dangers she faces for seeking truth. The situation became so dire that she came to the United States to continue her work. Despite the distance from her loved ones, she continues to fight for her freedom and safety.

“I invited Marvi to speak to our visiting group of Pakistani undergraduate students to better understand the necessity of a free press in the public policymaking process,” said Ken LeBlond, University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute marketing communications manager.

Marvi’s journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication to journalism and her unrelenting spirit in the face of adversity. She faced numerous challenges, including gender bias, but her determination never wavered. Marvi's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring journalists and a testament to the power of resilience. Her unwavering dedication to truth and justice is a beacon of hope for a more informed and just society.

The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for students and scholars is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government. The SUSI Comparative Public Policy program for Pakistani undergraduates is administered by the UMass Civic Initiative, a group of the UMass Donahue Institute.

Marvi Sirmed’s visit to campus was supported by Scholars At Risk.

The author is from Pakistan and was participant in the 2024 SUSI Comparative Public Policymaking program.

July 27, 2024