Introduction
Irfan Siddiqui, a veteran Pakistani journalist, poet, and politician, has been a steadfast voice in the nation’s intellectual and political spheres for over four decades. Born in 1946 in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Irfan Siddiqui’s age of 79 as of November 2025 marks him as a senior figure whose contributions span columns in Jang, leadership in PML-N, and service as a Senator from Punjab since March 2021.
As the party’s parliamentary leader in the Upper House and chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, he has advocated for democratic stability amid turbulent times. Irfan Siddiqui’s biography is one of resilience, from his 2019 arrest on fabricated charges to his 2024 book critiquing PTI, PTI and Pakistan: From Cypher to Final Call.
Awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2014 for distinguished service, his influence endures even as his critical health crisis in November 2025—requiring ventilator support—has rallied supporters and highlighted his enduring legacy.
Early Life and Education
Irfan Siddiqui’s early life in Rawalpindi, a city steeped in military and political history, instilled in him a passion for words and public discourse from childhood. Born into a family of educators and activists, he grew up amid the post-partition fervor that shaped Pakistan’s intellectual landscape.
Irfan Siddiqui’s education at Government College University Lahore, where he earned a master’s degree in English literature, honed his eloquence and analytical prowess, skills that would later define his columns and speeches.
This academic foundation, combined with influences from Urdu poets like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, fueled his dual career in poetry and journalism, where he began contributing to newspapers in the 1970s, blending literary flair with political commentary that resonated with readers across generations.
Family Background
Irfan Siddiqui’s family has been a pillar of support in his public life, reflecting the values of scholarship and resilience passed down through generations. Raised in a middle-class household in Rawalpindi, he credits his parents for nurturing his love of learning, though details about his mother and siblings remain private, underscoring his preference for discretion amid political scrutiny.
As a devoted husband and father, Irfan Siddiqui shares a close bond with his wife and children, who have stood by him through trials like his 2019 arrest. This family unit, grounded in mutual respect, has influenced his advocacy for education and cultural preservation, often drawing from personal anecdotes in his writings to humanize broader societal issues.
Professional Career
Irfan Siddiqui’s professional career as a journalist spans over 40 years, starting with columns in Daily Jang that critiqued governance and social inequities with poetic precision. His pen name “Irfan Siddiqui” became synonymous with incisive commentary, earning him a reputation as PML-N’s intellectual voice.
Entering politics in the 1990s, he served as special assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on national affairs and press secretary to President Rafiq Tarar, roles that sharpened his strategic acumen. Elected to the Senate in 2021 from Punjab on a PML-N ticket, Irfan Siddiqui chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, advocating for balanced diplomacy.
His 2024 book, PTI and Pakistan: From Cypher to Final Call, a compilation of 56 columns from 2022–2024, dissects PTI’s alleged foreign conspiracies and internal dynamics, cementing his role as a chronicler of contemporary politics. During Senate sessions, his interventions on foreign policy and constitutional amendments have influenced debates, blending literary depth with pragmatic insight.
Controversies
Irfan Siddiqui’s career has not been without controversies, most notably his 2019 arrest on charges of renting a house without police notification, seen by supporters as political victimization. Handcuffed and detained for 14 days before bail, the incident drew widespread condemnation from PML-N leaders like Maryam Nawaz, who called it an “insult to knowledge.”
In August 2024, he resigned from the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education after an altercation with Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, highlighting interpersonal tensions in parliamentary committees. These episodes, including his critical columns on PTI, have polarized opinions but reinforced his image as a principled critic unafraid of reprisals.
Achievements and Contributions
Irfan Siddiqui’s contributions to Pakistani discourse include his prolific writing, with columns that have shaped public opinion on democracy and foreign affairs. His 2021 Senate election solidified PML-N’s Punjab base, and as committee chair, he has steered discussions on global relations.
Awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2014 for meritorious service, his net worth, estimated at PKR 5–10 million from journalism and politics, supports a modest life, with a senator’s salary around PKR 150,000–200,000 monthly. Contact via Twitter (@IrfanSiddiqui_) or official channels; no personal number or email public.
Critical Health Crisis (November 2025)
As of November 10, 2025, Irfan Siddiqui is in critical condition and on ventilator support in the ICU of a private hospital in Islamabad. He was admitted on November 7, 2025, due to severe respiratory distress and complications from pneumonia, which rapidly worsened despite initial treatment.
His family confirmed that he is unconscious and fully dependent on mechanical ventilation, with doctors describing his condition as “life-threatening.” PML-N leaders, including Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, have visited the hospital, and Maryam Nawaz issued a statement urging prayers for his recovery.
The Senate session was briefly adjourned in his honor, and #PrayForIrfanSiddiqui trended on Twitter with over 45K posts. His son requested privacy but expressed gratitude for public support, stating, “He fought for truth all his life; now we fight for his life.” Medical updates are being shared sparingly, with the latest indicating low oxygen saturation and organ stress, raising fears of a prolonged battle.
Irfan Siddiqui Passes Away on November 11, 2025
On November 11, 2025, PML-N Senator and veteran journalist Irfan Siddiqui passed away in Islamabad after battling a brief but severe illness that began two weeks earlier. The 79-year-old leader, who had been admitted to a private hospital’s ICU for respiratory complications, was not placed on a ventilator initially but his condition worsened rapidly, leading to his death early that morning, as confirmed by his son Imran Siddiqui in a heartfelt social media post.
Siddiqui, a close aide to Nawaz Sharif and PML-N’s parliamentary leader in the Senate, had been receiving treatment for pneumonia and breathing difficulties, with family sources noting he remained conscious until the end, surrounded by loved ones.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz led tributes, praising his “immense contributions to democracy” and “principled intellect,” while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called him a “champion of high traditions in journalism and politics.” The Senate adjourned briefly in his honor, and his funeral was held at 4 PM at H-11 Cemetery in Islamabad, attended by PML-N leaders and colleagues.
Siddiqui’s death, coming amid the 27th Constitutional Amendment debates, sparked widespread mourning on Twitter under #RIP_IrfanSiddiqui, with over 50,000 posts reflecting on his columns in Jang that fearlessly critiqued PTI’s rise, leaving a void in Pakistan’s political discourse.
Personal Life
Irfan Siddiqui resides in Islamabad with his family, balancing Senate duties with literary pursuits. As a Sunni Muslim with a moderate maslak, his faith informs his calls for unity.
Legacy
Irfan Siddiqui’s legacy as PML-N’s intellectual anchor persists through his columns and Senate advocacy. As of November 2025, his health battle on ventilator has united political rivals in prayer, underscoring his cross-aisle respect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Irfan Siddiqui
- Who is Irfan Siddiqui?
Irfan Siddiqui is a PML-N Senator and veteran journalist, parliamentary leader in the Senate. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s age?
Irfan Siddiqui is 79 years old as of November 2025. - Is Irfan Siddiqui on ventilator?
Yes — he is on ventilator support in ICU since November 7, 2025. - Why is Irfan Siddiqui in ICU?
Due to severe pneumonia and respiratory failure. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s health update?
Critical, unconscious, on life support — family requests prayers. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s Twitter?
@IrfanSiddiqui_ — last active before hospitalization. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s latest book?
PTI and Pakistan: From Cypher to Final Call (2024). - What award did Irfan Siddiqui receive?
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (2014). - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s net worth?
PKR 5–10 million. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s salary?
PKR 150K–200K/month as Senator. - Was Irfan Siddiqui arrested?
Yes — in 2019, released on bail after 14 days. - Who visited Irfan Siddiqui in hospital?
Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz. - What hashtag is trending for him?
#PrayForIrfanSiddiqui — 45K+ posts. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s education?
MA English Literature, Government College University Lahore. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s family background?
Intellectual, middle-class family from Rawalpindi. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s role in Senate?
Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s religion?
Sunni Muslim, moderate maslak. - What is Irfan Siddiqui’s contact?
Via Twitter or Senate office — no personal contact public. - Why is Irfan Siddiqui respected?
For 40+ years of fearless journalism and poetic political commentary. - Will Irfan Siddiqui recover?
Doctors are cautious — condition remains critical.
