Gharidah Farooqi (born April 1, 1978) is a prominent Pakistani television host and anchorperson, best known for her work as a current affairs journalist. She rose to national fame during her tenure at Geo News—Pakistan’s largest private news network—which she joined in 2008 and worked with until around 2012 .
Early Life & Education
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Date of Birth: April 1, 1978 (age 47)
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Birthplace: Multan, Punjab, Pakistan (sources also mention her birth in Riyadh or Saudi Arabia, later relocating to Pakistan)
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Education: Earned a master’s degree in International Relations or Mass Communication from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan.
Career Timeline
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2005–2007: Began her journalism career as a newscaster with PTV News.
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2007: Short stint at Dunya News.
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2008–2012: Anchor at Geo News, hosting and reporting for key programs.
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2012 onward: Worked with Samaa TV, and later joined Express News as a senior anchor .
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Notable Show: G for Gharidah, launched in 2015—current affairs program featuring high-profile interviews, including with Rana Sanaullah and Maryam Nawaz.
Controversies & Challenges
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Child-Worker Allegation (2017): A Lahore maid tip-off led to her detention and alleged torture at Farooqi’s home. She subsequently reached an out-of-court settlement, with no legal conviction.
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Social Media/Online Harassment: Subjected to organized trolling and threats—often politically motivated—particularly following her commentary on sensitive issues. Women-centric journalism groups nationwide condemned the attacks.
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Legal Petition (2022): A court petition was filed seeking an FIR against her tweet on Eidul Azha sacrificial symbolism; the FIA was ordered to investigate.
Impact & Recognition
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A leading female journalist known for her powerful on-air presence and bold choice of interview subjects.
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The Coalition for Women in Journalism and civil activists frequently spotlighted both her journalistic contributions and the challenges she faced—highlighting broader struggles for press freedom and women’s rights in Pakistan.
Summary
Gharidah Farooqi is a distinguished Pakistani anchor with a solid academic grounding in communication. Her career spans major news networks such as PTV, Dunya News, Geo News, Samaa TV, and Express News. As host of G for Gharidah, she’s interviewed key political figures and tackled complex issues head-on. Despite facing serious allegations and politically oriented harassment, she remains a resilient, respected voice in Pakistani media.
Personal Information
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Full Name: Gharidah Farooqi
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Date of Birth: April 1, 1978
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Age: 47 years (as of 2025)
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Place of Birth: Multan, Punjab, Pakistan (some sources mention Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
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Education: Master’s degree in International Relations or Mass Communication from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan
Career Highlights
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Started her career with PTV News in 2005 as a newscaster
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Later joined Dunya News for a short period
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Worked at Geo News (2008–2012) – one of Pakistan’s biggest media groups
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Also associated with Samaa TV and Express News as a senior anchor
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Known for her talk show “G for Gharidah” – a current affairs program with political interviews
Notable Achievements
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Recognized for her bold journalism and fearless interviews
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Became one of the leading female TV anchors in Pakistan
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Frequently covers political, social, and human rights issues
Controversies
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In 2017, faced allegations of keeping a child maid at her home; the issue was resolved through an out-of-court settlement
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Faced online harassment and trolling due to her outspoken views
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In 2022, a petition was filed against her over a tweet related to Eidul Azha
Impact & Influence
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Seen as a symbol of resilience among female journalists in Pakistan
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Supported by media and women’s rights organizations during public attacks
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Continues to be a strong voice for press freedom and gender equality