The Most Influential

No Pakistani star commanded more attention this year. Named UN Women Pakistan's National Goodwill Ambassador, Hania Aamir closed Meri Zindagi Hai Tu as one of television's biggest draws — and was the most-read name on Pakmanzil this year.

Two decades in, Mahira Khan is still the industry's benchmark. A Netflix debut put her in front of a global audience, and her reunion with Fahad Mustafa in ALBM is among the most anticipated releases of the year.

Atif Aslam announced Subah Aye Na, his first studio album in nearly two decades, and teamed with Aima Baig and Yumna Zaidi on new work. His concerts still draw the biggest crowds in the country.

Fawad Khan's return as a judge on Pakistan Idol made him prime-time viewing again, and his first big-screen pairing with Ayeza Khan is one of 2026's most talked-about announcements.

Fahad Mustafa is betting big on cinema: the zombie thriller Zombeid with Mehwish Hayat, ALBM opposite Mahira Khan, and a first on-screen pairing with his father, Salahuddin Tunio, in Aag Lagi Basti Mein.

Sajal Aly's Zanjeerain drew industry-wide praise, and she leads the web series The Pink Shirt with Wahaj Ali before reuniting with Bilal Abbas Khan in Lahu.

Ali Zafar ended a 15-year wait with Roshni and Zalim Nazron Se, and closed a long chapter in court when he won his defamation case against Meesha Shafi.

Asim Azhar's Meri Zindagi Hai Tu became his most-streamed track in Pakistan, and he joined Coke Studio's Nu.WAV season with Maheya. Few artists move culture — and headlines — as quickly.

Actor, producer and the force behind the Jawani Phir Nahi Ani franchise, Humayun Saeed remains the industry's most bankable dealmaker — and its most discussed.

Talha Anjum topped Spotify Pakistan's charts for a fifth straight year and took hip-hop to prime time, judging Rap Icon Pakistan — the country's first rap competition show — alongside Bohemia.

Saba Qamar's Pamaal won admirers on both sides of the border, Johnny Lever among them, and she won a public apology after taking legal action over false claims about her.

Yumna Zaidi has the year's most enviable slate: talks for Parizaad 2 with Ahmed Ali Akbar, Cafe Firaq with Ahad Raza Mir, and Hun Ishq Main with Atif Aslam.

Long television's most-watched leading lady, Ayeza Khan makes the leap to the big screen opposite Fawad Khan.

Ahad Raza Mir leads the big-screen adaptation of Inspector Jamshed and returns to television in Cafe Firaq with Yumna Zaidi.

After Tere Bin made him a household name, Wahaj Ali stars opposite Sajal Aly in the web series The Pink Shirt.

Pakistan's leading box-office actress reunites with Fahad Mustafa for Zombeid, a genre gamble the industry is watching closely.

More than a decade on, Nida Yasir's Good Morning Pakistan is still where stars come to talk — and her on-air apology to delivery riders showed live television's reach.

Actor, host and producer, Faysal Qureshi remains one of television's most respected — and most outspoken — voices on the business of Pakistani entertainment.

Hasan Raheem celebrated Gilgit in Bewajah and saw Peechay Hutt land in Netflix's Best of the Best — proof that Pakistan's new pop travels.

One of the most sought-after leads of his generation, Bilal Abbas Khan reunites with Sajal Aly in Lahu.

Danish Taimoor headlines Humrahi with Hiba Bukhari, adding to a run of primetime hits.

Dar-e-Nijaat made Dur-e-Fishan Saleem the conversation of the season, confirming her as one of television's leading lights.

Five decades in, Bushra Ansari remains the industry's conscience — candid, funny and impossible to ignore.

Zara Noor Abbas pairs a busy screen career with some of the industry's frankest conversations about body image and family.

The voice of a thousand soundtracks, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is still the country's most in-demand live performer.