NEWSBUZZ

NAPA bids farewell to outgoing CEO

February 2025

The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) hosted a heartfelt farewell dinner in honor of its outgoing CEO, Junaid Zuberi, at the residence of its Chairman, Syed Jawaid Iqbal. The event celebrated Zuberi’s invaluable contributions during his tenure and marked the end of an era for NAPA as he prepares to return to his family in Canada.

In an informal conversation, Syed Jawaid Iqbal expressed both sadness and gratitude. “Junaid Zuberi’s departure is a significant moment for NAPA. His tenure of nearly three and a half years came at a crucial time during a critical transition. His background as an MBA, coupled with his profound understanding of literature, music, and theater—both local and international—was exactly what NAPA needed,” he said. The Chairman commended Zuberi’s contributions, particularly in the hiring of the incoming COO, and added, “Though he is leaving, he will always remain in our hearts.”

Tariq Kirmani, former Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors, praised Junaid Zuberi for revitalizing NAPA.

Dr. Ishrat Husain, another former Chairman of the Board, highlighted Zuberi’s innovative approach and services to NAPA, stating that his efforts have earned the admiration of all Board members.

Senator (r) Javed Jabbar, a member of NAPA’s Board of Directors, acknow-ledged Zuberi’s pivotal role during a challenging phase in NAPA’s evolution. Reflecting on NAPA’s legacy under Zia Mohyeddin and his own interim leadership, Jabbar said, “Junaid sustained the hopes we had for NAPA. His pleasant, positive, and soft-spoken demeanor reinforced our faith in the academy’s future.”

Notable attendees of the farewell dinner included playwright and satirist Anwar Maqsood, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Ahmed Shah, former Sindh Chief Secretary Aslam Sanjarani, musicologists Ayla Raza, S.M. Shahid, and Sharif Awan, corporate leaders Dr. Amjad Waheed and Iffat Zehra Mankani, NAPA Board members Anwar Rammal, Fawzia Naqvi, and Satish Anand, SZABIST President Shahnaz Wazir Ali, media mogul Asad Qureshi, ESUP’s president Kaleem Farooqui, Salman Alvi, Canada Pakistan Business Council President Samir Dossal, incoming NAPA COO Sameeta Ahmed, socialite Shireen Maqsood Hamidi, TV and film actress Zeba Bakhtiar, leading classical dancers Sheema Kermani and Nighat Chaudhry, and actor and NAPA alum Paras Masroor, among many others.

As a token of appreciation, Junaid Zuberi was presented with the NAPA memento, symbolizing the academy’s deep respect and gratitude for his contributions.