Moeed Pirzada
| Moeed Pirzada | |
|---|---|
| Native name | معید پیرزادہ |
| Born | Moeed Hasan Pirzada July 27, 1966 Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Pakistani |
| 🏳️ Citizenship | British, American |
| 🏫 Education | MBBS, MSc in International Relations, MSc in Media and Internet Regulation |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 📆 Years active | 2002–present |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Najma Minhas |
| 👶 Children | 3 |
| 🌐 Website | moeedpirzada |
Moeed Pirzada (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) (born 27 July 1966) is a Pakistani journalist, political commentator, geopolitical anaylist and television host. He is known for hosting current affairs programs such as Tonight with Moeed Pirzada and Sochta Pakistan.[1][2][3] Over the course of his career, Pirzada has conducted interviews with global leaders and provided analysis on national and international politics[4].
On May 9, 2023, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) held by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain in Islamabad issued permanent arrest warrants for Moeed Pirzada along with several other journalists, including Sabir Shakir. This case has raised concerns about freedom of the press in Pakistan.[5] This action followed accusations of inciting violence during the protests after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The charges filed at Abpara Police Station included sedition and terrorism, claiming the journalists used social media to provoke unrest.[6] Declared proclaimed offenders due to their absence, the warrants allowed for the seizure of assets and blocking of national ID cards and passports.
Early life and education
Pirzada was born on 27 July 1966 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He completed his early education in his hometown and earned an MBBS degree from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore.[7][8] In 1990, he transitioned from medicine to public service by joining Pakistan's Central Superior Services.
Pirzada pursued higher education abroad, earning a master's degree in International Relations from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs in New York.[7][1] He also obtained an MSc in Media and Internet Regulation from the London School of Economics as a Chevening Scholar.[2]
Media career
Pirzada began his media career in the early 2000s after leaving public service.[9] He became a prominent television anchor and journalist, working with major Pakistani networks, including:
- Dunya News: Served as Editor for Strategic Affairs and hosted Tonight with Moeed Pirzada.[10]
- 92 News: Hosted Hard Talk, focusing on political and social issues.[11]
- ARY News: Contributed as an anchor and host of current affairs programs.[12]
Pirzada has also written extensively as a columnist for international publications such as Khaleej Times, and his work has appeared in Pakistani newspapers including Daily Times and The Friday Times.[13]
Pirzada is a member of the Prime Minister's Education Task Force and collaborated with the British Council to produce the Next Generation Report.[14] Additionally, he has contributed policy papers to the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI).[15] He has also been featured as a speaker at the Islamabad Literature Festival.[16]
Notable interviews
Pirzada has interviewed several prominent figures during his career, including:
- TEDx Talks - Addressed critical social and political issues.[17]
- Hillary Clinton (former U.S. Secretary of State) - Discussed regional security and U.S.-Pakistan relations.[18]
- Benazir Bhutto (former Prime Minister of Pakistan)[21]
- David Cameron (former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom)[21]
- Imran Khan (former Prime Minister of Pakistan) - Discussed Pakistan's political challenges and leadership.[22][21]
- Mahmoud Abbas (President of the State of Palestine)[21]
- Pervez Musharraf (former President of Pakistan)[21]
- Subcontinental Podcast - A deep discussion on South Asian geopolitics.[23]
- Media Analysis - Analysis and commentary on key political issues.[24]
- Special Show on Pakistan's Future - Discussed reform and governance in Pakistan.[25]
Exile and current activities
In November 2022, following the assassination of fellow journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya , an event that shook pakistan and highlighted the danger faced by outspoken jouranlists and censored journalism. After this event, Pirzada relocated to the United States, citing safety concerns.[26][27][28][29] He currently resides in the U.S. and continues his work as a journalist through his YouTube channel, Dr. Moeed Pirzada Official.[30]
Publications and contributions
Pirzada has contributed columns to several leading publications, including:
- The Express Tribune[31]
- The Nation[32]
- Daily Times[33]
- South Asian Voices - Featured in podcasts discussing South Asian geopolitics.[34]
- Khaleej Times[35]
His writings primarily focus on governance, international relations, and political analysis. He is also the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Global Village Space, an online platform for political and economic discourse.[36]
Pirzada has also participated in academic discussions hosted by Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).[37]
Controversies
After US Army left Afganistan in 2022, Dr Pirzada sarcastically tweeted "Afghan Taliban have defeated America with the power of faith & divine support; imposition of Sharia will further empower them; we need to follow them with Sharia to become more successful; as first step, all Pakistani women should start wearing hijab to make us more Powerful!”. He was criticised by audeince and prominent political figures like Meher Bano Qureshi, Pakistani Parlaimentarain Saman Jafri for his comments on women wearing Hijab. On which he later clarified it was an ‘satire’[38]
In 2022, Dr Pirzada during an interview with Matiullah Jan, expressed his regrets to endorse Pakistan's establishment's policy about missing persons in past and stated recent allegation had een eye opener for him. Moeed Pirzada was criticized by prominent journalist and media persons including Imran Riaz Khan over this statement[39].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Sochta Pakistan". Pakistan Insider. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Tonight with Dr Moeed Pirzada Current Affairs Talk Show On Dunya News | Dunya News". video.dunyanews.tv. 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
- ↑ "Moeed Pirzada | Islamabad Literature Festival". Retrieved 2025-01-28.
- ↑ Desk, Web (2022-10-30). "Senior journalist Moeed Pirzada leaves Pakistan". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
- ↑ "Pakistani Journalists Face Mutiny Charges After Criticizing Military". Voice of America News. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ↑ "Court orders arrest of Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada in May 9 cases". Dunya News. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "SIPA's Global Alumni Community". Columbia SIPA. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Moeed Pirzada, A Famous Pakistan Anchor's Complete Profile". UrduPoint. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
- ↑ "Moeed Pirzada's Career". Official Website of Moeed Pirzada. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Pirzada at Dunya News". Dunya News. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Hard Talk on 92 News". 92 News. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Contributions to ARY News". ARY News. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Khaleej Times Author Page". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Next Generation Report". British Council. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Potential of Pakistan's Soft Power". Islamabad Policy Research Institute. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Islamabad Literature Festival Speakers". Islamabad Literature Festival. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "TEDx Talks". 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2025-01-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Hillary Clinton Interview 2009". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Hillary Clinton Interview 2011". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Hillary Clinton Interview 2010". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 "Historical Shows". Official Website of Moeed Pirzada. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Imran Khan Interview". 12 June 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "The Subcontinental Podcast: Episode 8". South Asian Voices. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Tweet and Analysis". Twitter. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Special Show on Pakistan's Future". 24 January 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "From TV Screens to YouTube: The Rise of Exiled Journalists in Pakistan | Al Jazeera Media Institute". institute.aljazeera.net. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ↑ "Moeed Pirzada left Pakistan because of threats?". Daily Times. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "The Bravery of Moeed Pirzada". Justice Katju. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Pakistan Urged to Drop 'Absurd' Mutiny Charges Against Journalists". Voice of America. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "YouTube Channel". Retrieved 2025-01-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Stories from Moeed Pirzada". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "The Moeed Pirzada". The Nation. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Dr Moeed Pirzada Archives". Daily Times. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "The Subcontinental Podcast: Episode 8 - A Conversation with Dr. Moeed Pirzada". South Asian Voices. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Search results for 'Author Moeed Pirzada'". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Global Village Space". 20 January 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "LUMS Academic Report 2021-2022" (PDF). LUMS. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ Desk, Web (2021-08-23). "Moeed Pirzada's Poll Distinguished Different Mindsets". News 360. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ↑ Staff, Web Desk (2022-05-23). "Imran Riaz attacks Moeed Pirzada over interview with Matiullah Jan". The Namal. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
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