Pakistani celebrities come from a few categories, including music, acting, and cricket. The country does not place much emphasis on developing celebrities in other fields, and, largely, the famous people have come from these predominant fields. They grow their following and slowly become household names. However, there is another category that makes people famous, but is controversial and difficult to navigate. The category is none other than politics.
Politics is a topic every Pakistani is passionate about, though the public rarely has the opportunity to express its will. However, a politician becomes a household name. Add to it the charm of already being a celebrity, and this combination has made many famous people even more famous. But in some cases, it ended up destroying their existing careers. Here is a list of the biggest celebrities who joined politics:
Imran Khan
Imran Khan is hands down the biggest Pakistani star in the history of the country. He started his cricketing career and ended it by lifting the World Cup. He was the most loved cricketer of his time internationally. He went on to build free cancer hospitals after his late mother, i.e. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre. He joined politics in April 1996 when he launched his party, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf, which has now become the biggest political party in the country. He is facing the harshest conditions currently, after remaining the Prime Minister, but he is still as relevant, and the political landscape revolves around him. He is the biggest success story of a celebrity turning into a politician, not just in Pakistan but globally.
Tariq Aziz
Tariq Aziz was a Pakistani host and anchor who was known for his unique and powerful voice. His show, Neelam Ghar, is a part of a whole generation’s childhood memories. He worked primarily on PTV, and he was the most beloved host in the country. He also joined politics briefly and won his first election. The interesting part is how he is the one politician who won his seat against none other than Imran Khan, who had also just started his political career.
Kaiser Khan Nizamani
Kaiser Khan Nizamani is a Pakistani actor, director, and producer. His wife, Fazila Qazi, is also a very important part of the drama industry. The duo is very open about their thoughts and political leanings. Kaiser has also dabbled in politics. He remained a part of the Pakistan People’s Party’s cultural wing since the early 2000s. He also contested elections on the PPP ticket in 2018. He has not been active in politics since then, and he is actively focusing on his acting career.
Abrar Ul Haq
Abrar ul Haq is known as the Bhangra king of Pakistan. He has given some of the best songs in Pakistan’s music scene. His songs are classics, and people are forced to shake a leg whenever his music is playing. He is also a philanthropist, and his hospital, Sahara Trust, has helped millions get free treatment. He was also an active politician and joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He remained a part of the party till the party was subjected to harsh treatment when the last government went home. He has distanced himself from politics for now, and he is focusing on his music career solely.
Jawad Ahmad
Jawad Ahmad is another Pakistani singer who became a household name in the country. He has given many big songs like Dosti, Uchiyan Majajan Aali. He started his political career when he launched his Barabari Party in Pakistan. He never achieved any success, though, but he does appear on shows and gives analysis. He was recently in the news, all thanks to his new political colleague, Iqrar ul Hassan.
Iqrar Ul Hassan
Iqrar Ul Hassan started his career with ARY News 21 years ago. He started as a newscaster, and he later started a show, Sar e Aam, which went on to become his identity. He has since worked with ARY News. He recently announced his retirement from the media, and he is now a politician. His Awam Raj Party is a new political party in the landscape of the country. With his latest airport fight, his start in politics is difficult, and people will judge his future conduct accordingly.
Azekah Daniel
Azekah Daniel is a Pakistani actress and model who started her career with PIA. She later transitioned to working in the media, and she has worked in some big dramas, like Mein and Cheekh. The actress is also very much interested in politics, and she joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf officially as a member of the party. She has not been working very openly in politics for now, and she is focused on her acting career.
Atiqa Odho
Atiqa Odho is an actress and also a reviewer now. She is active for actors’ rights with an organisation like ACT, but she was in national politics long before it. She was a part of the late dictator General Pervez Musharraf’s party. She spoke from his side on the shows when he was not in Pakistan. She has since left participating in politics, since the party ended.
Noor Bukhari
Noor Bukhari was a film star of Pakistan. She has appeared as an actress in many films, and she also directed one. She has stopped working in showbiz for Islam, and she now observes Hijab. However, she also joined politics, something that people were not familiar with. In the last elections, she submitted he nomination papers from her husband Aoun Chaudhary’s party, Pakistan Tehreek e Istehkam, for the Punjab Assembly.
Sajid Hasan
Sajid Hasan is an actor who has tried his hand at politics multiple times. He joined PPP in 2018 and contested elections in Karachi, where he lost. In 2024, he became a part of Pakistan Tehreek e Istehkam, but once again, his career did not go far. He is once again focused on acting and hosting, which is his first love.
Which stars did you not know were in politics? Share with us!
