Hamid Mir, born on July 23, 1966, is a prominent Pakistani journalist, columnist, and writer. Starting his career with Pakistani newspapers, he has been a key figure in journalism, notably hosting the political talk show Capital Talk on Geo News since 2002. Mir writes for both Urdu and English newspapers and has contributed to The Washington Post’s Global Opinions section since 2021.
He is recognized for his criticism of Pakistan’s Establishment and has survived two assassination attempts. He has faced multiple bans from television and lost his job twice due to his advocacy for press freedom and human rights.
Mir comes from a journalistic family in Lahore and was educated at Government College University and the University of Punjab. He has interviewed many world leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair, and Hillary Clinton, as well as notable Pakistani politicians and celebrities. Mir received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for his contributions and has been awarded for his resilience and lifetime achievements in journalism.
His career includes significant roles at Daily Jang, Daily Pakistan, and Geo News, where he has covered major conflicts and wars globally. In August 2018, he joined GNN as president but returned to Geo News later that year. Despite facing bans and threats, including from militant groups, Mir continues to be a key voice in Pakistani journalism, addressing critical issues such as enforced disappearances and press freedom.