A Career Built Across Leading Media Organisations

Zahid Mazhar is a seasoned Pakistani journalist and media professional with extensive experience across some of the country’s leading print and electronic media organisations. Currently serving as Editor News and Current Affairs at Dawn News TV, he has been associated with the Dawn Media Group since December 2011, marking nearly 15 years of professional association and editorial contribution.
His career encompasses print journalism, television news production, editorial management, newsroom operations and current affairs. Having progressed from the editorial desk to senior newsroom positions, he has developed a broad understanding of the demands of journalism and the evolving dynamics of Pakistan’s broadcast media industry.

Professional Beginnings: From the Print Desk to Broadcast Journalism

Zahid Mazhar began his professional career in print journalism as a sub-editor at Express Newspapers. His early experience in the newspaper industry helped him develop a strong foundation in news editing, editorial judgement, story selection, presentation and the core principles of journalism.

In July 2002, he moved into electronic media by joining Geo News as a Junior Assignment Editor. He subsequently moved to the main news desk and progressed to the position of Senior Producer. During this period, he gained practical experience in television news production, assignment coordination, editorial decision-making and the day-to-day demands of a broadcast newsroom.

He later joined Samaa TV as Controller News, where his responsibilities expanded to include newsroom coordination, editorial planning, prioritisation of news stories, supervision of production teams and management of daily news operations. His experience at Geo News and Samaa TV played an important role in preparing him for senior editorial and management responsibilities.

Dawn News: Years of Editorial Responsibility and Leadership

Zahid Mazhar joined Dawn News in December 2011 as Editor News and subsequently held senior editorial positions, including Editor News and Current Affairs. Over the years, he has remained closely involved in the channel’s editorial planning, newsroom management, news production and coverage of major national, regional and international developments.

He is recognised as the youngest Director News in the history of Pakistan’s electronic media. His responsibilities have involved managing editorial priorities, supervising news operations, coordinating newsroom teams and responding to the challenges of a fast-changing media environment.

His long association with Dawn News has coincided with a period of considerable change in Pakistan’s electronic media, including political transitions, security challenges, technological developments, changing audience habits and growing competition among television news channels.

A Key Contribution to Dawn News’ Growth and Performance

An important chapter of Zahid Mazhar’s professional career has been his contribution to the development of Dawn News. At the time he joined the organisation, the channel was positioned at approximately 15th place in television TRP ratings. Through sustained professional efforts, strategic editorial planning and improvements in newsroom operations, he played a significant role in helping the channel rise to third position.

His contribution extended beyond ratings. Particular attention was given to strengthening the quality and presentation of news content, refining programme formats, improving editorial planning and raising production standards. These efforts helped enhance the channel’s overall content and production value and contributed to strengthening its position in Pakistan’s competitive television news market.

International Reporting and Major Assignments

His professional experience also includes coverage of major international political, economic and diplomatic events. These assignments provided exposure to global affairs, international institutions and developments with implications for Pakistan and the wider international community.

Selected International Assignments

World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland: Coverage of the prominent international gathering, where global leaders and experts discuss the world economy, international trade, investment, geopolitics and emerging challenges.

All-Parties Political Forum, China: Coverage of an international political engagement involving exchanges and discussions on political and diplomatic matters.

United Nations General Assembly Sessions, New York, USA: Reporting on UN General Assembly proceedings, diplomatic engagements and issues of importance to Pakistan and the international community.

United States Midterm Elections: Coverage of the American electoral process, political developments, voter trends and the potential implications of the results for US domestic and foreign policy.

Together, these assignments broadened his professional exposure to international politics, diplomacy, economic affairs and global developments, while adding an international dimension to his broadcast journalism experience.

Articles, Analysis and Written Journalism

Alongside his television career and editorial responsibilities, Zahid Mazhar has contributed to written journalism through articles and analytical pieces published on the Dawn News platform. His writings address subjects including national security, terrorism, political developments, international relations and Pakistan’s economic and strategic interests.

Selected Published Articles

“Der Aayed… Durust Aayed (Better Late Than Never)” — June 16, 2014: An examination of Pakistan’s security situation in the context of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The article discussed terrorism, extremism, previous military operations in Swat, negotiations with militant groups and the need for a decisive national response following the attack on Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.

“Teesra Haath (The Third Hand)”: An analysis of the Model Town incident in Lahore, examining its political background, the police operation outside the Minhaj-ul-Quran Secretariat and questions of government responsibility.

“Will Karachi Replace Gwadar as the Centre of CPEC?”: An exploration of Karachi’s economic and strategic significance in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, alongside Pakistan’s mineral potential and projects such as Reko Diq and Saindak.

“How Much Influence Does the International Establishment Have?”: A discussion of the influence of international powers and the role of global political and strategic interests in shaping developments in different countries.

These articles demonstrate his engagement with issues beyond routine news coverage, particularly Pakistan’s security, political landscape, regional affairs, international relations and economic future.

Professional Associations and Industry Representation

Zahid Mazhar is a member of the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) and has served on its Executive Committee. He was part of the organisation’s initial Executive Committee and continued to serve in subsequent terms. In October 2026, he was once again elected to the Executive Committee.

AEMEND represents the professional interests of electronic media editors and news directors, with a focus on press freedom, freedom of expression, editorial independence and professional development. His continued involvement reflects his engagement with institutional and professional issues affecting Pakistan’s electronic media sector.

Memberships and Cultural Affiliations

He is associated with several prominent journalistic and cultural institutions in Pakistan. His memberships include Karachi Press Club (KPC), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Arts Council of Pakistan.
His association with KPC, PFUJ and KUJ reflects his longstanding connection with the country’s organised journalistic community. His membership of the Arts Council of Pakistan also connects him with a wider cultural and intellectual community and an institution that promotes literature, arts and cultural activities.

Recognition, Training and Professional Development

In recognition of his professional career, Zahid Mazhar has received an award from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). He has also received certificates of appreciation and recognition from the UAE Consul General and various institutions.
He has participated in numerous professional training programmes in Pakistan, supporting his continued development as a journalist, editor and media manager.

Core Areas of Professional Expertise

Newsroom Management: Supervising newsroom operations, editorial teams and daily workflows.

Television News Production: Experience in news production, programme development and broadcast operations.

Editorial Planning and Supervision: Setting news priorities, coordinating editorial teams and overseeing the preparation and presentation of news content.

Current Affairs and Political Coverage: Professional engagement with national politics, security developments, regional issues and international affairs.

Media and Production Management: Coordinating newsroom resources, production standards and editorial operations.

Professional Representation: Participation in media organisations and initiatives concerning press freedom, freedom of expression and editorial independence.

A Continuing Journey in Journalism and Editorial Management

From Express Newspapers to Geo News and Samaa TV, and ultimately to senior editorial responsibilities at Dawn News, Zahid Mazhar’s career reflects progression through different levels of journalism and newsroom management. His experience as a sub-editor, assignment editor, senior producer, Controller News, Editor News and senior editorial executive has given him an understanding of the broadcast news industry from multiple perspectives.

His international assignments, published writings, professional affiliations and contribution to newsroom development form important parts of his professional record. At a time when the media industry is being reshaped by technological change, rapidly evolving news consumption and increasing challenges to editorial independence, his career represents an extended period of practical experience in journalism, editorial decision-making and broadcast leadership.

His professional journey is, in essence, a progression from the fundamentals of news editing to senior newsroom leadership, shaped by sustained work and experience across some of Pakistan’s prominent media organisations.