In a world where family traditions and societal expectations often dictate career choices, Zainab Jatoi’s path to becoming a news anchor is a remarkable tale of determination and passion. Hailing from a traditional Baloch family, where professions like law, lecturing, and medicine were the norm, Zainab’s decision to step into the media world was far from conventional.
“I come from a traditional Baloch background of a Jatoi family. Girls and boys of our family do not join media,” Zainab confides. Her background was indeed strict and rigid, with inherent restrictions. However, her journey began when she started studying journalism.
Zainab’s family had different career aspirations for her. “My father was a professor. So essentially he also wanted me to become a doctor or engineer,” she shares. Joining the media world seemed like a distant dream, but as she began her studies in journalism, the pieces started falling into place.
One of the pivotal influences in her journey was her father, a professor who admired prominent journalist Hamid Mir. “My father used to listen to Hamid Mir a lot,” she reveals, explaining how this admiration sparked her interest in journalism and set the foundation for her aspirations to become a broadcast journalist of high caliber.
“That is how I became fond of Hamid Mir and started to admire him as an anchor and journalist,” Zainab says. This admiration was the seed that grew into a strong desire to become a broadcast journalist.
Zainab’s educational background played a significant role in shaping her career. “I studied journalism from the University of Punjab and did my internship at a newspaper, Daily Times,” she states. These experiences laid the foundation for her journey into the media world.
To prepare for her role as a news anchor, she underwent a rigorous six-month training program before gracing the TV screens with Dunya TV Network.
A day in the life of a news anchor is never dull, especially in the fast-paced world of media. Zainab’s early experiences in the field, back in 2019, were marked by covering the health issues of Mian Nawaz Sharif during the PTI government. “Every day was a new development,” she recalls. Each day brought new challenges, from reporting on platelet count fluctuations to arrests and releases. “These live transmissions during my early days were really challenging,” Zainab admits. She embraced these challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth, a mindset that continues to drive her career.
The qualities that make a successful news anchor, according to Zainab, include having strong content knowledge, intelligence, and a presentable appearance. “In this day and age, everything can be worked on and fixed,” she says, emphasizing that appearances can be enhanced, but intelligence and the ability to communicate effectively are the foundation for excellence in this field.
Zainab Jatoi’s career has had its share of memorable moments, one of which was her first transmission on Lahore News. “It was my first-ever such experience, and it went so well that our Output head Mr. Haroon presented me Rs. 1000 as a token of appreciation,” she recounts. This experience remains etched in her memory as a beautiful day.
Zainab’s passion lies in political news and transmissions. She thrives on covering political scenarios and current affairs, driven by her keen interest in these topics. Beyond politics, she also takes pride in addressing general and social issues that often go unspoken, adding depth and substance to her work as a news anchor.
Zainab Jatoi’s journey from a traditional background to becoming a prominent news anchor is a testament to her dedication and love for journalism. Her inspiring story showcases how, with determination and passion, one can break free from convention and excel in a field they are truly passionate about. Zainab Jatoi stands as an example of how the pursuit of one’s dreams can lead to remarkable success, even in the face of challenges and societal expectations.
Zainab’s journey in the world of journalism has been nothing short of inspiring. From her internship at the Daily Times, she progressed to become a news anchor on Lahore News within the Dunya TV Network. Her passion and dedication then led her to Suno News, where she took on the roles of News and Program Anchor. She briefly worked with Samaa to establish Samaa Digital in Lahore, showcasing her adaptability and expertise in the ever-evolving media landscape. Today, Zainab is an integral part of Express News, where she hosts the weekly news show “Kosmopolitan,” sharing her insights and bringing important stories to the forefront.
Zainab Jatoi’s journey in the field of journalism reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence and her impressive growth as a news anchor and journalist.
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