The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi’s Stage Show Committee paid tribute to the renowned comedian, actor, and host Hanif Raja at a grand event in Auditorium II. The ceremony, which was moderated by Nauman Khan, drew a large gathering of notable figures from the entertainment industry, including General Manager PTV Amjad Shah, cricketer Moin Khan, and actors BehrozeSabzwari, Shakeel Siddiqui, and Rauf Lala, among others.
In his speech, BehrozeSabzwari praised the President of the Arts Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, for his contributions to keeping the arts alive in Pakistan, particularly at a time when theater has almost disappeared. Sabzwari called Hanif Raja a true talent deserving of this recognition. Shakeel Siddiqui shared personal stories about the struggles of being an artist, recounting that the journey from Nazimabad to PTV Bahadurabad took them 15 years. Saleem Afridi also expressed his admiration for Hanif Raja, emphasizing his confidence and perseverance. Cricketer Moin Khan acknowledged the love people have for Hanif Raja, saying the large turnout reflected this.
Raja’s son, Ahmad Raja, spoke about his father’s sacrifices and dedication, expressing pride in his achievements. Hanif Raja expressed deep gratitude for the tribute, reflecting on his years of hard work. He thanked all those present for recognizing his efforts, particularly Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah.
He also recounted his early career, expressing how blessed he felt to have received so much respect in the industry. The event concluded with Stage Show Committee Chairman Saadat Jafri presenting Hanif Raja with a shield and flowers as a token of appreciation from the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.
