Archive · 24 Sep 2026
When Nelson Mandela Asked Hamid Mir, 'Where Is Pakistan?'
Hamid Mir had wanted to interview Nelson Mandela for many years.
In 1995, he traveled with Pakistan’s president to a Commonwealth conference.
Mir asked for a short meeting with Mandela, and the meeting was arranged.
Mandela asked Mir which country he came from.
When Mir said Pakistan, Mandela asked where Pakistan was.
Mandela explained that he had spent 28 years in prison and had lost track of geography.
He also asked about a Deoband institution that he thought was in Pakistan.
Mandela’s secretary explained that it was in India, and Mir joked that Mandela had started interviewing him instead.
Hamid Mir said interviewing Nelson Mandela had been a dream since his student days.
In 1995, Mir joined the delegation accompanying President Farooq Leghari to a Commonwealth conference.
Mir secured a 9 a.m. meeting with Mandela after asking Leghari for help arranging the interview.
Mandela asked Mir where Pakistan was, explaining that 28 years in prison had affected his knowledge of geography.
Mandela questioned Mir about a Deoband institution, which his secretary clarified was in India, not Pakistan.
- Who
- Journalist Hamid Mir, Nelson Mandela, and then-Pakistani President Farooq Leghari were involved.
- What
- Mir recounted his brief meeting with Mandela, during which Mandela asked about Pakistan and a Deoband institution.
- When
- 1995, during a Commonwealth conference.
- Where
- At the Commonwealth conference, where Mir met Mandela in his room.
- Why
- Mir wanted to fulfill his long-held dream of interviewing Mandela and requested Leghari’s help arranging the meeting.
- Interviewee
- Nelson Mandela
- Journalist
- Hamid Mir
- Year
- 1995
- Event
- Commonwealth conference
- Meeting length
- Approximately 10 to 15 minutes
- Mandela’s imprisonment
- Mandela said he had spent 28 years in jail
- Institution discussed
- A Deoband institution that Mandela’s secretary clarified was in India