What was your first job as a journalist?
Apprantice Reporter in Daily Khabrein
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No. But I have seen my mom using it throughout my childhood
How is social media changing news?
Social media has democratized news but also destabilized it. It empowers marginalized voices and real-time reporting, yet fuels misinformation, polarization, and populist manipulation. The challenge is ensuring that speed doesn’t eclipse accuracy—and that virality doesn’t replace accountability.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Rory Gilmore gave us the idealism. Camille Preaker (Sharp Objects) gave us the trauma. But it’s Murphy Brown who nailed it: sharp, fearless, messy, and utterly uncompromising in the face of power. Rani from No One Killed Jessica—tenacious, loud, and unafraid to burn bridges for the truth. She embodied what journalism should be: inconvenient to the powerful, relentless for the voiceless.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Bearing witness, asking hard questions, and telling the truth—even when it’s risky. It’s both a public service and, in fragile democracies, a form of resistance.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
was peak Pakistani media absurdity. It turned military-civilian power struggles into memeable moments. Never has a euphemism carried so much weight—and unintended comedy.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Short, sharp, and relevant. Email is best—include a clear subject line, 2–3 sentences outlining the story, why it matters, and why I’m the right journalist for it. Links and timelines help too.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use Google Docs, MS Office, and Grammarly for writing; Muck Rack/Critical Mention for sourcing & media tracking; Otter.ai for transcription
What's your favorite social network?
YouTube
Who do you wish followed you?
Maria Ressa—for her courage. Christiane Amanpour—for her clarity. And if we’re dreaming big, the ISPR—just so they know I’m still watching them back.
Why did you become a journalist?
Because silence was never an option. I became a journalist to speak truth to power, to expose injustice, and to amplify voices that are too often ignored. In a world built on narratives, I chose to fight with facts.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I worked for my undergrad college's annual magazine. I was Editor of the English language section.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A series on Pakistan’s covert support for the Taliban and its long-term Afghan policy. It challenged entrenched narratives, exposed state duplicity, and came with serious personal risk—but it helped spark essential public debate
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Tell the truth, even when it’s inconvenient. Listen more than you speak. Read obsessively. And remember: journalism is a public trust, not a popularity contest.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Every minute of the waking day!
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I'm yet to get what I could call my best pitch ever!
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I was once pitched a story on celebrity skincare routines, right after I filed an Op-Ed on enforced disappearances. Wrong continent & reality
What's your favorite drink?
Cold coffee
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Facing my canvas for painting, or on my sewing machine, making something. Or crocheting an Afghan :)
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Various. Propublica, Newslaundry, Al-Jazeerah, etc.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it’s “niche” or only relevant to activists. In reality, civil liberties, democracy, and power dynamics shape everything—from elections to foreign policy. It’s not soft news. It’s the spine
