Geo News senior anchor Hamid Mir has issued his first official statement after regaining consciousness. In his statement Hamid Mir thanked the Pakistani people and said it was due to their prayers and the grace of Allah that he has gotten a new life. Hamid Mir said he had informed Geo management, family and close friends of threats he was facing prior to the April 19 attack. Hamid Mir said he had identified elements who he was facing threats from and they were identified by his brother Amir Mir following the attack.
According to Hamid Mir he had informed close associates apart from Amir Mir regarding who would be held responsible if he was attacked. Hamid Mir said he had threats from state and non-state actors but in the recent past events had taken place which led him to inform his colleagues about the elements who could be involved in conspiracies to kill him.
Hamid Mir said that a few days ago some members of intelligence agencies came to his house and informed him that he was included along with other journalists on a hit-list. Despite being asked these members of intelligence agencies did not provide any details pertaining to who had made the hit-list. After this meeting Hamid Mir informed officials at concerned departments that in the past he had threats from state and non-state actors because usually state actors use the name of non-state actors to threaten journalists so they can be stopped from telling the truth.
According to Hamid Mir he had informed the intelligence personnel who came to his house that he felt the most threatened by the ISI and they should convey this to their officers. Hamid Mir further said that the ISI was upset with him because of a ‘Capital Talk’ programme which covered the long march of Mama Qadir Baloch. Hamid Mir added that he was also aware of the ISI being upset over his criticism of the role of intelligence agencies in politics.
Hamid Mir said that if officials had reports of threats he was facing why was he not informed in writing. He questioned why those who had planted a bomb underneath his car in November 2012 were not exposed despite the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claiming responsibility for it?
According to Hamid Mir the phone numbers of those who had issued him death threats were provided to the Islamabad Police, questioning why the police failed to take action against them. He said that despite a police report, action was not taken against those who had attacked his children in Islamabad.
Hamid Mir said that he would provide further details of these incidents when the time comes. He said his life was in the hands of Allah and he was answerable before the Almighty.
Hamid Mir said his fight was the same as that of his father Professor Waris Mir. This was a fight for Pakistan’s survival, safety and to strengthen the country. His fight was for democracy, elimination of terrorism, supremacy of law, protection of freedom of expression, rights of small province and to be the voice of the poor. He added that this voice could not be silenced. Hamid Mir said that he was working alongside the media, civil society, and political parties in this fight. The senior Geo News anchor said that he would continue to wage this fight till his last breath. He added that no institution or individual in Pakistan was above the law or constitution.
Hamid Mir said after being shot multiple times he now understands the gravity of the sacrifices rendered by the jawans of the Pakistan Amry and security forces better than someone who has not been through the same ordeal. Mr Mir said this does not mean that he should remain silent on the unconstitutional role of intelligence agencies in politics in the name of being patriotic.
Hamid Mir strongly condemned the government and state enforced shutdown of Geo transmission, adding that in the past Geo News had stood firm when it was banned during the dictatorship of General Musharraf. With the support of the people and God willing Hamid Mir said the Geo team would once again overcome such measures.
Hamid Mir expressed fear over the security of his brother Amir Mir and other family members and said if they were harmed the responsibility would be on state elements and the government. Hamid Mir said that Allah had saved his life which proved that the Almighty was powerful than those who had attacked him.
Hamid Mir appealed to people to continue their prayers for his health and complete recovery.
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