Famous People Born In Lahore

Imran Khan is the former Prime Minister of Pakistan who was in office from 2018 to 2022. He is also the founder and chairman of the political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Before making an entry into politics, Imran Khan was an extremely popular international cricketer who led Pakistan to its first ever Cricket World Cup title in 1992. As a philanthropist, he established Pakistan’s first cancer hospital in Lahore.

Shah Jahan, emperor Jahangir’s son, ruled as the fifth Mughal emperor, from 1628 to 1658. He is known for commissioning the Taj Mahal for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, among other contributions to Mughal architecture. He was put under house arrest by his son, Aurangzeb, during his final years.

Wasim Akram is a Pakistani former cricketer, cricket commentator, and coach. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He is counted amongst the finest exponents of reverse swing bowling. He became a commentator and coach following his retirement as a player. He is a recipient of the Pakistan Government’s Hilal-e-Imtiaz award. 

Babar Azam is a Pakistani international cricketer. Currently, he captains the Pakistan team in all formats. He is regarded as one of the best batsmen in contemporary world cricket. He holds the record for being the fastest to reach 2000 runs in T20Is. 

Remembered for his varied contribution to astrophysics, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar is perhaps best known for his work on the evolution of massive stars. Today known as Chandrasekhar limit, it contributed to final understanding of supernovas, neutron stars, and black holes. A prolific writer, he also did significant work on energy transfer by radiation in stellar atmospheres and convection on solar surface.

Pakistani actor Sajal Ali soared to fame with her performances in films such as Mohabbat Jaye Bhar Mein and Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah. She later made her Lollywood debut with the film Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay and soon stepped into Bollywood with the Sridevi starrer Mom.

Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar has been quite successful in Bollywood and has even earned a Filmfare nomination. Best known for his performance in the film Dear Zindagi, the actor had begun his career with Pakistani TV serials. A philanthropist, too, he has his own charitable foundation.

Farhan Saeed is a Pakistani actor, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and music video director. He is best known as the former lead singer of the popular pop rock band Jal. He first achieved popularity in 2016 when he played Taimoor Arshad in the successful Pakistani television series, Udaari. Farhan Saeed is the recipient of several Hum Awards.

The man who revolutionized the Bollywood romantic film genre, Yash Chopra was a legendary filmmaker who gave Hindi cinema some of its most cult films, such as Kabhi Kabhie, Deewar, Darr, and Lamhe. The Padma Bhushan winner was also honored by the Swiss government for popularizing the country through his films.

Azhar Ali is a Pakistani professional cricket player and former captain of the national team in One Day International and Test cricket. In 2016, he became the first ever batsman to score a triple century in a day and night Test cricket. The same year, Azhar Ali also became the first Pakistani player to score two double-hundreds in a year.  

Padma Bhushan-winning journalist Aroon Purie is the founder of the India Today group and was the Reader's Digest editor-in-chief. The LSE-educated journalist was dragged into a controversy when he was found to have plagiarized part of Grady Hendrix’s article on Rajinikanth. He is also the father of Bollywood actor Koel Purie.

Imran Tahir is a professional cricketer who represents the South African national team. In 2016, he became the fastest South African bowler to reach 100 wickets in the ODI format. In 2018, he became only the fourth South African bowler to take a hat-trick in ODIs. Tahir is currently South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs and T20Is among spin bowlers.

Born to a Pakistani cricket administrator, Umar Akmal later joined the Pakistani national cricket team. He was once banned by the PCB for his links to a spot-fixing scandal. In 2020, he was trolled on social media for mentioning how cricketer Abdul Razzaq was his mother from another brother

Kamran Akmal is a Pakistani international cricketer. He plays for Pakistan as a right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper. He started his international career in 2002 and made a name for himself as a quick-scorer. He is a highly productive batsman and was a part of the Pakistan team that won the T20 World Cup in 2009. 

Once one if the best off-spinners in world cricket, Pakistani cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq introduced what is now known as the “doosra” form of delivery. He is also known for his decade-long association with the Pakistan International Airlines team. He also apparently invented the lesser-known “teesra” and “chotha” deliveries.

Tariq Ali is a British writer, journalist, political activist, filmmaker, public intellectual, and historian. Over the years, he has contributed immensely to popular publications like The Guardian and The London Review of Books. Tariq Ali is also credited with authoring many influential books like Bush in Babylon and The Obama Syndrome.

Mohammad Yousuf is a Pakistani former cricketer who played all three formats of the game. Renowned for his batting skills, Yousuf scored 1,788 runs in Test cricket in 2006, a world record for the most number of Test runs scored in a year. In 2007, he was honored at the ICC Awards with the Test Player of the Year award.

Pakistani actor Ushna Shah rose to fame with serials such as Bashar Momin and Thoda Sa Aasman. The York University alumna also starred in Pakistan’s first online comedy, Oye Kuch Kar Guzar. Her performance in the serial Alif Allah Aur Insaan won her a Hum Award for the best negative role.

Pakistani former cricketer Abdul Razzaq was a talented all-rounder who has made several international records, such as that of being the world’s youngest cricketer to score a Test hat-trick. Often compared to former all-rounder Imran Khan, he had also played for the Hyderabad Heroes in the ICL.

The daughter of famous Pakistani journalist and author Hameed Akhtar, actor Saba Hameed is known for her roles in serials such as Kahin Deep Jaley and Fitoor. She has usually been seen playing a mother on screen. The Pride of Performance winner has also won a PTV Award for the sitcom Family Front.

Shaan Shahid is a Pakistani actor, model, film director, writer, and producer. One of the most popular and highest-paid actors of Pakistan, Shahid has won several prestigious awards like the National Film Awards, Nigar Awards, ARY Film Award, and Lux Style Awards. In 2007, Shaan Shahid was honored with the Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan.

Meesha Shafi is a Pakistani-born Canadian actress, model, artist, and singer. She is best known for her portrayal of Laxmi in a 2013 Pakistani action-thriller film titled Waar, which earned her an ARY Film Award under the Best Supporting Actress category. Waar remains one of the highest-grossing films in Pakistan.

Sohai Ali Abro is a Pakistani actress, model, and dancer. She is best known for her work in Pakistani films and television serials. She achieved popularity in 2016 when she played Zoya in an adventure comedy film titled Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, for which she received the ARY Film Award for Best Actress.

Initially a promising cricketer, Salman Butt served the Pakistani national team as a left-handed opening batsman and also led the Pakistan Test team as its captain. He was, however, involved in the 2010 Lord’s spot-fixing scandal, which led to a 10-year ban by the PCB and 30 months in a London jail.

Wahab Riaz is a Pakistani professional cricket player who plays as a bowler for the men's national team. An important player for Pakistan in One Day International and Twenty20 International, Wahab Riaz gained international recognition after his all round performance in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.  

Iman Ali is a Pakistani model, actress, and singer. She is best known for her portrayal of Maryam in the 2007 drama film Khuda Kay Liye, which earned her two Lux Style Awards for Best Actress. Apart from acting in films and TV serials, Iman Ali also appears in music videos. 

Shafqat Amanat Ali is a Pakistani singer, songwriter, and composer who specializes in classical and pop music. He is best known for his association with the pop rock band Fuzön where he performed as the lead vocalist until 2006. Shafqat Amanat Ali is also recognized in the Indian film industry where he performs as a playback singer.

Rehan Butt is a Pakistani former field hockey player best known for winning the gold medal at the Asian Games in 2010. Renowned for his play-making skills, Butt represented his national team at two Hockey World Cups and two Olympic Games. In 2008, the Asian Hockey Federation named Rehan Butt the Best Asian Player.

Pakistani cricketer and opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad was 17 when he made his ODI debut against Australia. He was once in the midst of a controversy when he was clicked undressed with fellow cricketer Shahid Afridi in the dressing room. He has also been tagged as Pakistan's Virat Kohli.

Reema Khan is a Pakistani TV host and former actress, director, producer, and stage dancer. She achieved immense popularity during the 1990s, becoming one of the top actresses of the decade. Reema Khan, who has appeared in over 200 films, was honored with the prestigious Pride of Performance Award for her contributions to Pakistani films.

Former Pakistani Army lieutenant-general Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi was also the last governor of East Pakistan. Remembered as the Jackal of Bengal, he led the Pakistani campaigns during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the Bangladesh Liberation War. He was accused of human rights violations and held responsible for Pakistan’s military failure.