Hamid Mir wins 'most resilient journalist award'

Geo News senior journalist and host of 'Capital Talk,' Hamid Mir on Wednesday received the 'most resilient journalist award' by the International Free Press.

The award was given to him in Hague, Holland, where the senior Geo News journalist also delivered a speech.

Hamid Mir began his speech by thanking the organisers of the event and said that it was a great honour for him to receive this award.

In his speech, Mir said that he survived assassination attempts on his life but he does not want to leave Pakistan as people of Pakistan are standing with him.

Hamid Mir said that this award is in recognition of the sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan fighting war against terrorism.

“I dedicate this award to people of Pakistan whose bravery, support and resilience became a source for my resilience,” said Mir

.@HamidMirGEO: "I dedicate this award to all journalists to dedicate and risk their lives to report the news." #FPL16

— Free Press Unlimited (@freepressunltd) November 2, 2016

The Geo News journalist also dedicated his award to journalists giving sacrifices in line of duty.

 Mir in his speech said according to a report 87% of people worldwide are living without ‘truth’ and they need the support of journalist fraternity.

“We must continue fight against impunity,” said Hamid Mir.

"We need to change the world and we can't change the world without free press", says @HamidMirGEO #pressfreedom #FPL16

— Free Press Unlimited (@freepressunltd) November 2, 2016

At the end of his speech, the senior journalist chanted the slogan “Pakistan Zindabad”.

A journalist from Yemen and another from Colombia were nominated alongside Hamid Mir. 

This prestigious award is given to journalists who continue to unearth truth in the face of danger and threats.

Mir has interviewed Osama Bin Laden, Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair, Hillary Clinton and Yasser Arafat.

Due to his outspoken reporting, Mir experienced a number of arrests, physical attacks and kidnappings. He survived two murder attempts. 

In 2014, Hamid Mir survived an assassination attempt on his life when unknown men fired at his car when he was on his way to Geo's Karachi office. He was rushed to a hospital where he was treated and declared out of danger. 

Despite these threats he refuses to leave the country saying it would discourage young journalists.