He was on his way to his office from Jinnah International Airport when the incident happened on main Shahrah-e-Faisal. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Unknown assailants shot at senior journalist Hamid Mir on Saturday, leaving him severely injured, Express News reported.
Mir was transported to a hospital for treatment, following the shooting which was carried out by four assailants on two motorcycles.
Khalid, a shopkeeper at Falaknaz Tower said that a man wearing shalwar kameez, standing on the road, shot at Mir's car and then his accomplice picked him up and followed the journalist's car.
A guard at the scene fired back at the assailants, but they fled.
Police official Shahid Hayat said that Mir was shot at thrice and he is out of danger now.
A statement from the Aga Khan university read that after an operation lasting 150 minutes, Mir was stable and will be kept under observation overnight.
Three bullet wounds, thigh, pelvic area and one more says Karachi police chief and adds: Hamid Mir is out of danger.
— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) April 19, 2014
According to doctors Hamid Mir is out of danger, says police chief Shahid Hayyat. #Karachi #Pakistan #AttackOnMedia
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 19, 2014
Mir was on his way to his office from Jinnah International Airport when the incident happened on main Shahrah-e-Faisal, under a bridge near the airport.
Forensics team is now investigating the spot.
SSP Pir Mohammad Shah said that nine bullet casings/shells were found from the firing.
Hamid Mir is a renowned news anchor and is the host of the popular talk show on Geo TV, Capital Talk.
Both the President and the Prime Minister condemned the attack.
Later, the army condemned the attack prayed for his well being and quick recovery.
According to a statement of Inter-Services Public Relations spokesperson, an independent inquiry must immediately be carried out to ascertain facts. The spokesperson added that allegations against ISI or head of ISI without any basis is highly regrettable and misleading.
Hamid Mir never steps back from speaking out. May this braveheart recover fast from cowardly attack. #Prayers
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) April 19, 2014
https://twitter.com/sherryrehman/statuses/457502710687100929
https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/statuses/457503127101792256
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and information minister Pervaiz Rashid condemned the attack.
In 2012, Mir escaped an assassination bid when police defused a bomb planted under his car in Islamabad, police and his channel said.
“It’s a message to me as well as Geo and the journalist community in Pakistan,” Mir told the television channel. “They want to stop us from speaking the truth but I want to tell them that we will not be deterred.”
COMMENTS (91)
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Honourable Hameed Meer Saheb, Assalam o Alaikun, I pray before Allah togive u all the necesities with eemaan and good health to enjoy peaceful life with family and infor us ever the truth, I miss u too much and ever from 8.oo PM on Monday to Thursday wait before GEO TV to see your Intelligent, impressive, confident and honourable face. hope soon will see u.
It is a terrible news very shocking but not strange.I as a photographer journalist farhat sadaqa strongly condemn growing threats ,attacks on journalists .Governament must ensure their safety ,not only ensure but immpliment a strategy that really help journalists security .journalists are the true victums and have been sandwiched between establishment , milllitary and millitants ,facing threats on ethnic basis and from criminals on daily basis.journalists have right to breath and live their lives and dont deprive them of their basic rights which GOD has granted all human beings . A question arises here ,there is a vital force that really wants to passive the opinion of journalists ,we and our Govt. need to determine this vital force .Journalists are very strog pillar of our society
So sad. Hamid meer is hero of Pakistan . God bless him health and our prayers is always him.
Hamid Mir we all love you too much! You are the Honest and you are the well wisher of Pakistan and her grieved nation. May ALLAH tala bless you ever.
@Mirza:
who says they were terrorists and not hired killer commando?
Rex Minor
I will pray for Hamid Mir he will Get well soon Insha ALLAH.
Hamid Mir....We are feeling sad for you BUT then you had ASKED FOR it...You never behaved matured in your TV talk Shows and if we take out your records of all the Capital Talk ,one finds that you always passed derogatory remarks and tried to malign the Armed Forces and Musharraf.What ever the topic/subject of the Capital Talk would be there,you would purposely bring into Army and Musharaf in the discussion.You instigated both the Khawajas(Asif and Saad) in the Capital Talk to malign our Army/ISI and Musharraf.Rahimullah Yousaf Zai,Saleem Safi, Sohail Warriach and so many more are also linked with media and enjoy respect from the masses/people of Pakistan and from abroad also BUT I am sorry to say that You,Ansar Abbasi and few more are absolutely behaving obnoxious and always bent upon passing derogatory remarks about our Armed Forces and ISI.You have made enemies and not friends.It should be an eye opener for you and you should mend your ways.Make money but not at the cost of Nation and country.Dont bring bad name to GEO also.
I dont understand how we can blame an organisation within few minutes of incident without investigation. We all claim we are edjucated people love democracy but love to believe conspiracy theories. One should ask who is benefited from all this?
You are funny @PeaceMonger:
Please take notes Express Tribune that Geo is supporting its journalist unlike the Express team that unfortunately cowered and changed its editorial policy after being attacked. Readers expect better from you!
@from india: now you ll tell us Pakistan needs which type of people...seriouly
A platform required to address Civilian Grievances to Servants and the Masters. Civilian need 70% Budget for once. Urgently need to improve Health Care and Education, just two issues. Lets kick out incompetent teachers through examinations, unionized teacher staff, health care staff Now. Lets not destroy Future Generation. The State of Sind rural and urban children future is growing of Peons not Engineers, Scientists, Fighter Jet Pilots, Boeing Captains, Businessman, Entrepreneurs, Nurses, Railway Pilots, Builders etc. Please, Please fight for rights of Sindhis living in Jesus Christ Age under Palm Leaves or Bamboo Huts. Need Schooling. Did any Squadron Leader produced from Hala District, Khairpur, Thatto, Mirpursakhro, MP Mathelo or Dharki? We need a proper platform so we progress.
@PeaceMonger: assets of what
That's unfortunate that despite the heavy presence of general musharraf's forces such an attack occurred. More unfortunate is the lack of unity and jealousy between different media outlets that's why they never get united and become easy prey
Hi is one of the most important person pakistan need.Inshallah he will recover soon.>{ kahty hen na .jinu Rab rakhy unnu kon chakhy.Nothig can harm you we love you every one is praying for you.we are waiting to see your next show comesoon..AG37
No bullying please!
Sad news for all journalists. Hamid Mir is not only senior journalist but brave and veteran. Allah is the one who kills but not devils . Government should provide security to Mir in the future, he could still be a target.
I wish him speedy recovery. He is one the the best journalists of the Indian Subcontinent. I sincerely advise all the journalists like him to wear bullet proof jackets while venturing out in th e field.
Hope he gets well soon. He is one of very few sensible journalists in the land of impure.
This is a cowardly attack on an honest journalist and TV anchor who was only trying to present the truth in front of the people. There have been seven attacks on ET for the past eight months which does not augur well free and dynamic media in Pakistan and that makes this country the most dangerous place in the world for journalists. Time has come for NS to take full control of the country if the democracy is to survive in Pakistan.
@Kamal: Look's like Cheap publicity stunt.........
Ban Geo TV for irresponsible telecast for blaming Army & ISI.........
Seems like Indians really love him. While our best wishes are with Mr. Mir, it really bothers me that GEO is constantly maligning Pak army without any proof.
Hamid Mir - Mature Scribe. Also, importantly, very mature and sober comments by readers. Not one conspiracy theory offered about the involvement of RAW, CIA, MOSSAD, KGB etc etc. Way to go.
Shocking and painful. get well soon Hamid Mir. Salams to you and your family.
Mr.Mir..not only you attacked by bike rider,but they are involved in killing and genocide of MQM and journalist in Karachi and Baloch in Baluchistan but there was only one attack by bike rider in Punjab...that was on Davis ,bike rider was shot death by Davis and every body knows who was the bike riders....AND NEVER A BIKE RIDER ARRESTED ON THE SPOT
ET please allow me.
@naeem khan: another disguised Indian troll trying to have a go at our country and army, as always with baseless accusations. Troll alert people!! Go back and attend to your own country please. Your army is at it again in Occ J&K. Go watch..
They had enough with them to finish him off, but obviously, they did not intend to. To me, HM was not the real threat, 'coz in Pakistan, especially in Karachi, target killers always aim for chest and head, and the target hardly ever escapes alive! Very clearly, ISI is the real target here..! Watch out countrymen!!
I enjoy Hamid Mir's talk shows and I do pray for his quick and complete recovery. He has so many enemies and it could be the work of any one of them so let us wait for the investigations to reveal the culprit, instead of jumping to conclusions. The way Hamid introduced the inventor of water-driven cars, one would think even he has a tendency to form opinions in haste.
Karachi
Hamid Mir is one of the best in his profession worldwide. The man's credentials are impeccable. But then, excellence is one thing that has a very short shelf-life in Pakistan. In any other country, Mr, Mir would be celebrated as one of the standing pillars of freedom and democracy and would stand in the Hall of Fame of the Fifth Estate on this planet. He is one of the most worthy sons of Pakistan. God protect him is all I can say and speed him to good health.
We can only pray for you speedy recovery Mr. Mir and request you to be vigilant in future they can not tolerat any one who speak truth and criticise them.
The way, we have only one minded comments on the ET, we can understand how much freedom of speech is being curbed by the moderators.
Thanks to twitter and facebook that is exposing these moderators.
Let us see, will the moderators allow this comment to be published or not.
Answer to all your "who" questions . Since media there won't report it. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Top-Pakistani-journalist-Hamid-Mir-seriously-injured-in-a-targeted-shooting-in-Karachi/articleshow/33971004.cms
MAY ALLAH BLESS U
Speaking truth to power is primeordeal. Hamid Mir is one if the few who in Pakistan continue to court danger for telling the truth. The cowardly and brutal attack on him is an attack on freedom of expression and democracy. He is in my thoughts and prayers. I urge the authorities to do everrything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice. Though the record of successive governments in this area is so poor that it would be a miracle if the truth about his attackers would come to light. The state seems to have given up protecting their citizens. Wishing Mr. mir a complete recovery. N. Islam
Bhai Hamid ...once you get married have children ball game changes,,,so lets recover insha allha..(.you know in and out of their mentality ....why put your self in harms way ....no one will take care of your family .... I consider Prince Diana ,our lovely BB and now mr Musharuf totally out of their wits.) find different ways for living .......Khuda kay wastay.
I am sad to hear about it and everything happening around us and we should be very careful before pointing figures as as incomplete information leads to wrong conclusions
Anyone can easily get any killer/s at a cheap price to target anyone anywhere. The problem and the matter of concern is is that in Pakistan the chances of the person being caught is the lowest in the world. The killer is shielded by 1). General anarchy and chaos in the country 2). Politicians 3). Establishment 4). Pathetic law enforcement capabilities 5). Tens of terrorist groups 6) Tens of ethnic groups.
I strongly condemn the attack on Hamid Mir. May Allah grant him rapid recovery. I think this is also the time for us to reflect upon us what true, professional, impartial and honest journalism means. Unfortunately, like many other institutions in Pakistan, politics has plagued the journalism and media that sometimes work for the interests of certain groups.
sad.
Wish him a speedy recovery. There is a very courageous nalysis of this issue oe by Najam Sethi on Aapas Ki Baat of April 19.
Hope that all courageous journalists stay safe and their tormentors are made accountable.
He is really a brave and daring journalist. Pakistan needs such people to fight out terrorism. Wish him safety and a long life.
Why is ET naming the eye witnesses? is there no law no procedure in this country is the media that eager to write a story that they possibly endangered a mans life. I hope they had changed his name and profession on here and if not this time then please next time you write such a story think about the poor witnesses as well.
geo news network shows vry cheap and third class transmission after attack on hamid meer..putting attack responsibilty on pak army and isi...we usually aspecing these type of allegations from indian media..but geo cross whole limit ..
What a shame the terrorists want to silence each and every voice against them. Where are our protectors, recognizing and legitimizing the terrorists?
It is a great shock to me and all those who love him because of his candor, fearless and honest reporting.We pray to Almighty for his long life and condemn this cowardly attack on him.We hope that law enforcing agencies will take solid steps to arrest the assailants and punish them the way they deserve.
@water bottle:
I don't doubt that.
History is a witness to how leaders withhold information from their subjects so people don't have an idea what their rights are. They don't know that they have the right to free education, hospitals, libraries, clean water, justice. If even one person dies of hunger under their jurisdiction the leaders are responsible and should be tried for negligence but instead so many people are allowed to die in Thar without any relief. If there wasn't any media how many of us would have even known there was a famine in Pakistan.
Media = Mafia
Those who shot Hamid Mir obviously are terrified of people who speak out...........staying silent is now not an option because then, evil wins.
Hmmm attacked while in the car, two bullets, one in the hip-joint and another in the abdomen. Weird cause if you are in the car you will be shot on the upper part of your body rather than lower. How is it posible to shoot on hip-joint until you're aiming low or you just want to send the victim a message to be careful or stay out of the way. I suppose it was a warning to Mr. Mir. I wish him a speedy recovery and pray for the safety and well being of every pakistani.
If Hamid Mir - a reputed journalist, with power of media - is not safe. Who is? A Baloch? Sindhi? Minorities? Pakistani?
Though I wish for Mir's speedy recovery. I have little sympathy for Pakistan as a nation. You are reaping, what you sowed!
Get well soon Hamid mir. you are a fighter and you must win this battle.
wishing for your speedy recovery, best wishes from India
Not too long ago, Raja Rumi was attacked too but escaped unscathed luckily. Now Hamid Mir. Guys, please!! Are your efforts worth getting killed? It's not like you can make any difference with your pen. . Its already too late. You have to know it inside. Why risk your lives, guys? Why!!!! Stay safe, is all one can wish for you. . Sad sad day for free thinkers and believers in freedom of speech.
it is not better for jouirnalist,i appeal all journalists together,allah tala hamid meer ko sehat dy ameen
I live next door to another popular journalist and the amount of times his house has been shot at is ridiculous.
In Pakistan there is a huge focus on trying to keep people silent and ignorant. Literacy levels are deliberately kept low, internet bans are rampant, journalists are silenced. We don't even know the extent of of important information holders being killed off in target killings because it's easy to hide the deaths when a dozen people are killed the same night.
Like him or not all Pakistanis need to protest against the people who deliberately want to keep them docile and dumb.
How very sad!
The only SAFE way left now to live in Pakistan,HEAR no evil.SEE no evil.SPEAK about no evil.Though all are rampant
Saddened by attack on Hamid Mir in Karachi. Sincerely hope and pray he recovers fast...
Mr. Bilawal with due respect i want to inform you that you can't "tweet away" terrorist! So please try to do something on ground to make sindh and karachi free of terrorists and other thugs!
One of the most prominent journalists in the country is fighting for his life and ARY News has refused to give coverage to it, instead are running breaking news on Musharraf's departure to the Airport. Respect for human life should come before corporate jealousy. shameful..
Very concerned to hear of the attack on Hamid Mir. Wish him a quick and complete recovery.
May Allah (swt) protect him.
Every journalist who Speaks in favor or against any community have a sense of his/her vision which every civil society give the right to do so. Hamid Mir what soever thinks or have a vision/convection utters very clearly on the most popular media of the world. This is the contribution solo contribution of this legend that he has given the high touch on the horizon of media. we pray for his survival and continuation his objectives. Ameen
cowards ought to be sorted out !! no more suppression of free speech .. get well soon brother.
one more feather in the cap of establishment hamid was a critic of agencies role in balochistan and they have reacted the way they react
Long live Hamid Mir
I pray for health of Hamid Mir.
Noooo
He ought to have STAYED PUT (for good) in whichever country he had just arrived from... certainly would have been one far safer compared to Pakistan... wonder how long will chaps like him survive in the stricken country now...???
Everyone is a senior journalist. Tell me, who's a junior journalist? only a part-timer?
Cowards will never win.
Oh no! This is shocking.
I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery. He is one of the few assets left in Pakistan.