Islamabad: A prominent Pakistani journalist and talk show host escaped what appeared to be an assassination attempt here in the capital on Monday after a bomb was found under his car, officials said.

There was no claim of responsibility for the bombing attempt that apparently targeted Hamid Mir, who hosts one of the country's most-watched political talk shows.

Pakistani journalist and television anchor, Hamid Mir. Credit:FAROOQ NAEEM

Most suspicions pointed to the Pakistani Taliban, which had recently singled-out Mr Mir for criticism over his coverage of Malala Yousafzai, the teenage activist wounded by militants in October.

This month, the Interior Ministry said that Mr Mir's life had been threatened by a Taliban affiliate known as Tariq Geedar for his coverage of Ms Yousafzai's story.