CPJ asks Pakistan to probe 'death threats' received by Hamid Mir

• Hamid Mir claims he received multiple death threats.
• He says he had reported threats to police last week. 
• Mir says he saw two people filming him in Islamabad. 
  

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has requested the Pakistani authorities to "swiftly and impartially investigate the death threats and online harassment" against senior journalist and anchorperson Hamid Mir and ensure his safety. 

The development comes after Mir, who hosts Geo News show "Capital Talk", told CPJ that he had received multiple death threats on social media and warnings that his life was in danger. 

The journalist had also reported the threats to the police in Islamabad last week, however, no first information report (FIR) has been registered as of yet and no probe has been initiated, the journalist body said. 

Mir, 57, also told CPJ that he saw at least two people filming him last week when he was in his car near his home in Islamabad. He added that the people ran away when he approached them.

“The threats and online hate campaign against one of Pakistan’s most prominent television anchors illustrate the severity of intimidation and pressure faced by journalists in Pakistan,” said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi. 

“Pakistani security agencies must immediately act against those trying to silence Hamid Mir and hold them accountable.”

The senior journalist has survived at least two attempted assassinations. In 2014, he was shot and in 2012, his driver found explosives planted under his car.