Pakistan's Best TV HOST: The Legends
Pakistan's Best TV HOST
Today, we will talk about those Pakistani hosts whose shows are watched globally and who are the identity of Pakistan. Hosting is a very demanding job; it is not just a one or two-hour program where you ask a few questions to a guest/celebrity and leave. Rather, the show’s arrangements, format, the nature of the guests, and all the research related to them—taking a careful look at this and proper preparation is what ranks a host above others.
Nowadays, in the media, there is only a race for rankings and views, and decency and discipline hold little meaning. Hosts just have to ask controversial questions, with no regard for civility and manners; as long as the program is a hit and gets views, the show and host are considered successful. Our list today includes some legends from the past and some famous hosts of today. The legends of the past always prioritized respect and decency, and we have included a few current hosts who are, to some extent, carrying on this legacy, but...
1. Mustansar Hussain Tarar
Mustansar Hussain Tarar—they say, his name alone is enough. For us 90s kids, the biggest entertainment was Mustansar Sahab’s live PTV morning show, which aired early in the morning. Watching that and getting ready for school—what a time it was! Five minutes for kids' cartoons, and along with that, Mustansar Sahab’s witty conversations, along with general knowledge questions and awareness for children. And then, his style of hosting—everything was so original, natural, and informative, a program that no one has been able to replace to this day. Along with live morning shows, he hosted travel programs and wrote books; how he entertained us is a topic for a complete article that I will bring to you all soon. But today, we are talking about him as a host.
(Later section on Mustansar Hussain Tarar):
...he hosted a TV show called "Shadi Online" that ran for a very long time, spanning nearly 350 episodes. People watched it not just out of a need for marriage and matchmaking, but because of Mustansar Sahab's presence. Those same 90s kids who once watched his morning show were now grown up and looking for partners through this program. Mustansar Sahab's presence gave this program a massive global boom, and for people, it became a special medium for a noble cause. In the program, the respect he gave to the bachelors and families who appeared—due to his decency and good manners—is something that is missing in hosts today. We are thankful to Mustansar Sahab, because of whom our childhood was filled with entertainment and information, and we always pray for his health and safety.
2. Tariq Aziz
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He was the first person/host on PTV, the first male announcer seen on TV in Nov-1964. Tariq Aziz Sahab is a very big name; he is another name for energy. When his name comes up, "Nilam Ghar" automatically comes to mind first. "Dekhti Aankhon Suntey Kaano ko Tariq Aziz ka Salam", What a powerful performance he gave in his show! That single program had everything: awareness, healthy competitions, live speeches and poetry competitions, interviews, and publicity for newly launched programs—all in one show. And to top it off, the respect shown to the audience and guest/celebrities is something that is largely missing today. What a precedent Tariq Sahab set with his energy! The way he carried the program—the same energy and atmosphere that was there at the start of the program remained until the end. Where are such hosts today, whose primary goal wasn't just entertainment, but also included respect and decency? It is a matter of concern whether we are forgetting our culture and values just for the sake of views.
3. Moin Akhtar
Moin Akhtar—his name alone is enough. He was equally popular throughout the sub-continent and many people learned from him and are still learning. There was such a flow in Moin Akhtar's speech, and due to his Karachi roots, he had such clean and fluent Urdu that it felt sweet to the ears. Despite the rich flavor of comedy in his hosting, the scope of his decency remained very limited. Along with Anwar Maqsood and Bushra Ansari, he made history in the "Loose Talk" show and performed in over 400 episodes. The complete mixture of awareness, comedy, and entertainment was in that one show, and Moin Akhtar's various get-ups were the specialty of that show, including the character of "Rozi," through which he garnered fame across the entire world.
"The Moin Akhtar Show" was very popular in its time, in which sports stars, showbiz celebrities, and politicians were invited as guests, and there was an element of funny questions and disciplined manners, which is missing a lot today. Nowadays, in the name of comedy, roasting friends and obscene language is included. Moin Akhtar has a vast library; if you start writing, you will go on and on. As a host, he has many masterpieces to his credit. "Yes Sir No Sir" was also a very important and entertaining show of its time, which featured sketch comedy with elements of wit and interviews with prominent guests, the credit for whose success goes to a wise host like Moin Akhtar. The new generation must watch these shows and learn a lot from Moin Akhtar’s work.
4. Anwar Maqsood
Anwar Maqsood—a long journey as a writer, comedian, artist, painter, and host, but today we will only talk about his hosting. Wherever Urdu is spoken and understood, people necessarily know Anwar Maqsood. If decency is the first priority, then names like Anwar Maqsood are a hallmark. Anwar Sahab has hosted many shows, among which "Studio Ponay Teen," "Studio Dhai," and "Loose Talk" were major hits. "Studio Ponay Teen" and "Dhai" were live shows and had a direct connection with the audience.
It was a major milestone at the time. Live sketch comedy and mimicry, in which Anwar Maqsood worked with artists like Moin Akhtar, Qazi Wajid, Zeba Shehnaz, Ismaeel Tara, and Bushra Ansari. Watching the witty and heavy sketch comedy done within the boundaries of Anwar Maqsood's etiquette, and the massive response from the live audience, added to the charm of the show. Along with that, the guest appearances and interviews of special celebrities were the icing on the cake. How can we talk about Anwar Sahab and not mention "Loose Talk"? "Loose Talk" was a timeless show that is just as enjoyable to watch today as it was when it was on air. "Loose Talk" was such a beautiful combination of Anwar Maqsood, Moin Akhtar, and Bushra Ansari (Tarka) that a person would be filled with joy. These three presented such a masterpiece that one doesn't get to see anymore. Anwar Maqsood's hosting has its own style, which is prominent in his body language and facial expressions.
Anwar Maqsood repeatedly gives the message in his programs that a show can be hosted while staying within the boundaries of a specific etiquette. The first important job of a host is to respect the people sitting in front of them, whether they are guests, the audience, or your co-hosts. This legacy of Anwar Maqsood is fading away. Is there any host in this generation now who can carry this forward? But it is a commercial era where there are no limits to making a show successful. Speech is not filtered, and perhaps even PEMRA has diverted its attention from this side.
5. Zia Mohyeddin
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When Zia Mohyeddin graced the stage, it felt as though centuries of cultural refinement, eloquence, and literary sophistication had culminated in his very voice. His legendary journey on television reached its peak with "The Zia Mohyeddin Show" in the 1970s, a pioneering talk show where his sharp wit and flawless style revolutionized South Asian broadcasting. He sculpted each word with a rare aesthetic beauty, avoiding both undue haste and artificial clamor. The deliberate poise in his delivery, coupled with a subtle, dignified wit, cast an enchanting spell over discerning audiences, drawing them effortlessly into the resonance of his baritone voice.
The true beauty of his hosting lay in his absolute devotion to decorum, which was beautifully displayed in his later masterpiece, "Jo Janay Wo Jeetay"—a sophisticated literary quiz show that elevated the intellectual standards of television. In sharp contrast to the chaotic and rushed presentation styles of the modern era, Mr. Mohyeddin’s approach remained a timeless reflection of classical grace and traditional courtesy. Whether introducing a piece of literature or testing the audience's knowledge, he enveloped the room in a golden, captive silence. His departure feels like the closing chapter of Urdu’s golden age of sophisticated broadcast—a grand literary era whose absence will be deeply felt forever.
6. Tausiq Haider
If we consider the legacy of the legendary hosts mentioned in the article above, if anyone has followed it correctly, it is Tausiq Haider. Tausiq's tone in hosting is extremely polite, and his sweet language makes guests feel comfortable. Tausiq started hosting on the radio, and he also has the honor of being the first voice of FM radio. Among the many TV presenters and hosts today, Tausiq Haider is prominent in following decency and culture. Recently, he has been hosting a show on PTV titled "Rising Pakistan," which has been airing since 2005. The success of this show goes to Tausiq. The intelligent questions asked in Tausiq’s polite tone and the respect given to guests/celebs are the main assets of the show. But it is a matter of sadness that after Tausiq Haider, no other host has been able to maintain this decency.
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