Famous People Born In Karachi

Kumail Nanjiani is a Pakistani-American actor, comedian, and screenwriter. In 2018, Kumail Nanjiani became the first screenwriter of Pakistani origin to be nominated for an Oscar under the Best Original Screenplay category; he received the nomination for the 2017 film The Big Sick. In 2018, he was named in Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the world.

Business magnate Azim Premji revolutionized the Indian software industry with Wipro Limited. Twice listed to Time 100, he transformed his vegetable oil and soap manufacturing company to a leading IT solutions brand, through marked diversification. He owns a non-profit foundation and is the first Indian to join The Giving Pledge.

Benazir Bhutto was a Pakistani politician who served as Pakistan's prime minister in two separate terms and became the first woman in a Muslim majority nation to lead a democratic government. She was assassinated, at the age of 54, and after her death has been revered by many as an icon for women's rights.

Pakistani actor Mahira Khan began her career as a VJ with MTV and is best known for her award-winning performance in the telenovela Humsafar. She also gained fame with her Bollywood movie Raees, starring Shah Rukh Khan. The divorced mother of one was on BBC's 100 Women in 2010.

Known as the Queen of Pop in South Asia back in the 1980s, Pakistani singer Nazia Hassan soared to fame with tracks such as Aap Jaisa Koi and Boom Boom. She began her career as part of a duo with her brother, Zoheb Hassan. She died of lung cancer at 35.

Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane is best known for her performances in serials such as Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si and Aahista Aahista. She also appeared in the Bollywood romantic tragedy Sanam Teri Kasam. She co-owns a clothing line and is equipped with a law degree from the University of London.

Fawad Khan is a Pakistani actor, model, singer, screenwriter, and producer. A prominent actor known for his contribution to films and TV, Khan has received several prestigious awards, including a Filmfare Award and Lux Style Awards. A well-known philanthropist, Fawad Khan has helped raise funds for many charitable organizations across Pakistan.

Though he had to undergo surgical treatment for hernia as a child, Jahangir Khan has begun playing squash by age 8 and later emerged as the greatest squash player not just in Pakistan but in the world, too. The former world number 1 is a 6-time World Champion.

Tarek Fatah is a Canadian liberal journalist, author, commentator, and Islamic reformer. Fatah, who was born in Pakistan, is renowned for his criticism of Islamism and Pakistan. Thanks to his views, Fatah remains a controversial figure in several Islamic countries. He is also known for his activism and has been active in advocacy groups that support causes like LGBT rights.

Pakistani-American rapper, songwriter, singer and poet Bohemia, is known for producing studio-albums like Da Rap Star that peaked atop the Planet M chart; Thousand Thoughts .that won Best International Album award at PTC Punjabi Music Awards; and Skull & Bones:The Final Chapter that topped Indian iTunes Chart within 24 hours of release. His upcoming album is titled I Am I.C.O.N.  

Yumna Zaidi is a Pakistani actress best known for her contribution to the Urdu-television industry in Pakistan. One of the most important and popular television actresses of her generation, Yumna Zaidi is renowned for her versatility. Zaidi is also one of the most decorated actresses of her generation, having won three Lux Style Awards so far in her career.

Fatima Jinnah was a Pakistani politician, stateswoman, and dental surgeon. She was the younger sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Fatima worked closely with her elder brother, who often sought the advice of his sister. Fatima Jinnah is also credited with co-founding the All Pakistan Women's Association, which aims at promoting the welfare of Pakistani women. 

One of Pakistan’s most popular actresses, Mehwish Hayat is the daughter of popular TV actor Rukhsar Hayat. The National Civil Award and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz-winning actor is also a talented singer. She is best known for her blockbuster hit films such as Load Wedding and has also starred in series such as Ru Baru.

Asif Ali Zardari is a Pakistani politician who served as the president of Pakistan from 9 September 2008 to 9 September 2013. His tenure was widely criticized for his inability to control terrorism in Pakistan. He is the current president of a popular Pakistani political party called Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP).

Sarfraz Ahmed is a Pakistani professional cricket player. He plays as a wicketkeeper-batsman for the Pakistani national cricket team. In the past, he has captained the Pakistani side in all formats. Under his captaincy, Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017. He received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2018, becoming the youngest cricketer to be awarded this honor. 

Saeed Anwar is a Pakistani former cricketer. He played international cricket between 1989 and 2003 and is considered one of the greatest opening batsmen Pakistan has ever produced. He scored 20 centuries in ODIs and 11 centuries in test matches. As a young man, he was also known for being a style icon in the sporting scene. 

Pakistani actress, comedian, singer and playwright Bushra Iqbal, recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz award and Pride of Performance award, commenced her career as child artist. Over the years, she has worked in several films, telefilms and television shows and is best-known for appearing in some of the most-watched shows of PTV, including the sketch-comedy series Fifty Fifty and the satirical-drama Angan Terha.    

Somy Ali is a Pakistani-American actress, model, writer, filmmaker, and activist. She is best known for her work in Bollywood films. Also an activist, Somy Ali is credited with founding a non-profit organization called No More Tears, which aims at protecting women from domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Pakistani actress-model-singer Ayesha Omar, regarded a style icon, is counted among the most-famous and highest-paid actresses of her country. She gained-prominence starring in the Pakistani series Bulbulay. Moving on, she bolstered her career starring in series like Zindagi Gulzar Hai and films like Karachi Se Lahore; and with the album Khamoshi that won her Lux Style Award for Best Album.  

Sohail Abbas is a Pakistani former field hockey player. With 348 international goals under his belt, Abbas is the highest goal-scorer in the history of field hockey and is counted among the greatest players of all time. Nicknamed King of the drag flick, Sohail Abbas was renowned for his lethal drag-flicks, speed, and accuracy.

Legendary Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan was equally proficient in tennis and swimming in childhood. Known as a dependable opening batsman, he later married Bollywood actor Reena Roy and acted in a few Hindi films, too, such as Batwara and Saathi, earning a Filmfare nomination for the former.

Hanif Khan is a Pakistani former field hockey player best known for helping his team win gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. He also has an Olympic bronze under his belt, having won the medal at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. In 1984, he was honored by the President of Pakistan with the Pride of Performance Award.

Mohammad Sami is a Pakistani former cricket player best known for his fast bowling skills. He represented the Pakistan national cricket team in all three formats—One Day International, Test, and Twenty20 cricket—between 2001 and 2016. Mohammad Sami was considered one of the fastest bowlers of his generation.

Danish Kaneria scripted history when he became the second Hindu to play for the Pakistani national cricket team. At the time of his retirement, he was the highest wicket-taking Pakistani leg spinner. He was also involved in a spot-fixing controversy and was banned for life by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Hassan Sardar is a Pakistani former field hockey player best known for leading his team to win the gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Hassan Sardar also played an important role in Pakistan's gold medal-winning performances at the 1982 World Cup and Asian Games.

Asma Jahangir was a Pakistani human rights lawyer and social activist. She was a co-founder of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. A lawyer by profession, she played a prominent role in the Lawyers' Movement and also served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. She was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz. 

Atiqa Odho is a Pakistani actress, TV host, and entrepreneur. She is credited with founding a popular cosmetics brand called Odho Cosmetics. Also known for her philanthropic activities, Odho has been working for the betterment of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital since 2016.