Meet Saad Haroon, comedian who took a chance on laughter being the best medicine for Pakistan 

Special Meet Saad Haroon, comedian who took a chance on laughter being the best medicine for Pakistan 
The undated file photo shows Pakistani comedian Saad Haroon. (Photo courtesy: Saad Haroon)
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Updated 13 April 2024
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Meet Saad Haroon, comedian who took a chance on laughter being the best medicine for Pakistan 

Meet Saad Haroon, comedian who took a chance on laughter being the best medicine for Pakistan 
  • Haroon created Pakistan’s first English-language comedy TV show and improv comedy troupe BlackFish
  • Haroon says laughter is “cathartic” in Pakistan, a country steeped in pressing issues like militancy and poverty 

ISLAMABAD: It was a dark time in Pakistan when stand-up comedian Saad Haroon returned home after completing his education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2001. 

In a post-September 11 world, it was a nation divided over whether Pakistan should be involved in the United States’ war on terror or not. The war in neighboring Afghanistan led to a sudden rise in the number and scale of terror attacks in the country. The conflict in the region also hit major sectors of the economy, and trading activities were widely disrupted. And as Haroon would find out in the years to come, things would only get worse and laughter would turn out to be the best medicine.

“Little did I know that I would need a lot of comedy over the years because we’ve been dealing with kind of a situation after situation,” Haroon, now one of Pakistan’s best-known English language comedians, told Arab News in an interview in Karachi. “And I was like, ‘Okay, I can use comedy to really make people feel better’.”




The undated file photo shows Pakistani comedian Saad Haroon. (Photo courtesy: Saad Haroon)

Haroon is the creator of the first ever Pakistani improvizational comedy troupe “BlackFish” and was the first Pakistani stand-up comedian to perform in English in cities across Pakistan in his tour, “Saad Haroon: Very Live.” He has many other accolades to his name, including being voted the “Second Funniest Person in the World” during the first Laugh Factory worldwide competition held in 2014. 

But carving a niche as a comedian in Pakistan — and that too in the English language which is spoken by less than five million people in a country of 241 million — was no easy task. The learning curve was improvizational, with Haroon and his peers trading cassette tapes of international comedians to learn the tricks of the trade. And given the political chaos around him, it was no surprise that Haroon quickly turned to political satire, using comedy to make people laugh but also to make them understand the complexities of life.

“I could wax eloquent about these very difficult things that have been happening and it was fun and it was good,” he said, adding that political satire was “cathartic” and a “coping mechanism.”

“And sometimes the audience finds it fun. Sometimes they find it incredibly dark and it’s still rewarding.”

But does he ever get into trouble with his jokes?

“Well, my job is to push those boundaries and sometimes I don’t censor myself and I get in trouble,” Haroon said, recalling the backlash he received for writing a song named “Burqa Woman.”

“BLASKFISH”

Venturing into a full-time career as a comedian as far back as 2002, Haroon became aware of many sad realities about Pakistan’s creative industry, including that there were no quality writers. 

“Because there’s not much art, it means that we don’t actually have a system to create that art, which means we don’t have writers,” the comedian said. 

That’s why improvizational comedy became the answer.

“I was like, ‘Okay, if you don’t have writers, how do we do comedy without writers? Let’s do improv’.”

Thus was born BlackFish in 2002, but that was not without its challenges, not least of them the language barrier and the inability to generate money. 

“I think we charged a whopping Rs100 [36 cents] per ticket,” Haroon joked. “So, I couldn’t pay anyone in the troupe. I would collect the money in the kitty and then we’d go for dinner sometimes.”

Blaskfish continued for a few years before Haroon quit and started doing solo stand-up comedy shows.

Next Haroon created and hosted the first ever English language comedy television show in Pakistan called The Real News in 2007.

“That was political satire and people in Pakistan, we love making fun of politicians because you know, there’s no saving grace about it,” Haroon explained. 

Another major achievement was when in October 2014, he was voted the second funniest person in the world, securing 59,213 votes in the Laugh Factory competition.

“I think winning that second funniest person in the world award was amazing,” Haroon recalled. “And it was kind of amazing what it made other people in Pakistan feel like because they had something.”

For Haroon, art is important in Pakistan because conventional careers like becoming a doctor, engineer or lawyer are not for everyone.

“We all really need money, but we all really need to laugh a little bit as well,” he said. “And so, I’ll go down with this ship laughing even if you don’t.”


At UNSC, Pakistan calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, urgent humanitarian support to Palestinians

At UNSC, Pakistan calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, urgent humanitarian support to Palestinians
Updated 13 min 18 sec ago
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At UNSC, Pakistan calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, urgent humanitarian support to Palestinians

At UNSC, Pakistan calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, urgent humanitarian support to Palestinians
  • The statement comes amid a six-week truce between Hamas and Israel that ended 15-month war, which has killed over 48,000 Palestinians
  • Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar rejects any displacement of the Palestinian people, urges revival of a process to achieve two-state solution

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to people affected by Israel’s war as he addressed a high-level debate at United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Dar was addressing the debate, titled “Practicing Multilateralism: Reforming and Improving Global Governance,” which was convened by China. The session was presided over by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The statement came amid a six-week truce announced on Jan. 19 between Hamas and Israel that ended 15 months of war, involving the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to the north.
Addressing the session, Dar emphasized the need for international commitment to multilateralism to address emerging global challenges, calling for upholding principles of the UN Charter, including self-determination, the non-use of force, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
“He called for the full implementation of the agreement to secure a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza and the urgent humanitarian support to the Palestinian people and the revival of a political process to achieve the two-state solution,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
Israel’s war on Gaza, which began after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and displaced almost all of Gaza’s 2 million population by laying waste to swathes of neighborhoods, schools and hospitals.
The deputy prime minister condemned the massive loss of civilian lives and the persistent Israeli violations of the international law.
“He rejected any displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland,” the foreign office added.
The statement followed remarks by United States (US) President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu about the relocation of Palestinians to Egypt, Jordan or other countries, which have been rejected by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan and other nations apart from being condemned by international rights groups.
Palestinian territory – encompassing the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem – has been occupied by Israel since 1967. Pakistan does not recognize Israel and has consistently called for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters
In his address, the Pakistan deputy premier also proposed the adoption of a roadmap for strengthening multilateralism and reforming the global governance.
“He emphasized the need for a more inclusive, democratic, and accountable Security Council, reforming the international financial architecture and strengthening international cooperation to address emerging challenges, particularly the regulation of transformative technologies like artificial intelligence,” the foreign office added.


Pakistani forces kill 30 militants in restive province bordering Afghanistan

Pakistani forces kill 30 militants in restive province bordering Afghanistan
Updated 18 February 2025
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Pakistani forces kill 30 militants in restive province bordering Afghanistan

Pakistani forces kill 30 militants in restive province bordering Afghanistan
  • The deaths occurred during an intelligence-based operation in the volatile South Waziristan district
  • The development follows kidnapping of a traders’ union president and two Pakistan Customs officials

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed 30 militants in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the military said on Tuesday, amid a surge in militant violence in the restive region that borders Afghanistan.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in the country, particularly in KP, since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Islamabad broke down in November 2022.
The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
The militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Sararogha area of KP’s South Waziristan district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji [militant] found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.
The development came days after unidentified men kidnapped a traders’ union president and two Pakistan Customs officials in the district, according to local administration. While no group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, TTP was suspected of involvement in it.
Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militant activities on Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
The South Waziristan district, which borders Afghanistan, had been a stronghold of the TTP before successive military operations drove the militants out of the region more than a decade ago. Pakistan says TTP fighters have regrouped in the restive region in recent years.
 


Babar Azam says a lot has changed since last Champions Trophy, but Pakistan belief remains same

Babar Azam says a lot has changed since last Champions Trophy, but Pakistan belief remains same
Updated 18 February 2025
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Babar Azam says a lot has changed since last Champions Trophy, but Pakistan belief remains same

Babar Azam says a lot has changed since last Champions Trophy, but Pakistan belief remains same
  • Defending champions and hosts Pakistan will face New Zealand in the opening match in Karachi on Wednesday
  • Azam heads into the tournament as the world’s top ranked batter and his form will be crucial for Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has said that a lot has changed since they last played the Champions Trophy, but his side’s belief was still the same.
The statement by the former Pakistan skipper came a day ahead of defending champions and hosts Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand in Karachi.
Babar hit 46 from 52 balls in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India that helped Pakistan on their way to a 180-run win at The Oval.
However, the right-hander refuses to live in the past and wants to make more memories in front of the adoring Pakistani public in the coming weeks.
“I am very excited. My primary memories of the 2017 final are Fakhar Zaman’s innings [of 114], the spell of Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali’s spell and the winning moment,” Azam was quoted as saying by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“Playing against India, that excitement and the nervousness was there but when we won, we enjoyed and celebrated. [But] a lot has changed since the Champions Trophy was held in 2017. We have new players coming, we only have three or four players who were part of that winning team. But the belief, confidence and execution is the same.”
Pakistan-New Zealand clash on Wednesday will include two of biggest names in the competition, with Azam set to go head-to-head with Kiwi star Kane Williamson.
Joe Root, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli are part of the respective England, Australia and India squads but Azam stands in a league of his own in ODI cricket, heading into this competition as the world’s top ranked batter in the 50-over format.
“When you have responsibility as a senior player in any team and the team relies on you and has belief in you, then I take it in a positive way,” he said.
“I try to give my best in every match. I try to perform so that Pakistan win and I enjoy my cricket.”
His form will be crucial if Pakistan are to improve on their recent tournament record. They have been knocked out in the group stage at the last two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups and suffered the same fate at last year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after losing to co-hosts USA.
But Azam said he does not have any “pressure.”
“What has happened in the past is beyond us. We have discussed mistakes we have made and we have worked on them. So we will try not to do what we have done in the past,” he was quoted as saying.
Azam’s home city of Lahore is among the three Pakistani cities hosting matches and he believes local knowledge will help his side thrive.
“When you play at home you get that edge as you know the conditions,” he said. “You have a knowledge of how the pitch will behave, both in the first and second (innings), but still you have to play good cricket because all other teams are among the best.”


Pakistan offers over 70 offshore and onshore blocks to foreign investors for oil and gas exploration

Pakistan offers over 70 offshore and onshore blocks to foreign investors for oil and gas exploration
Updated 18 February 2025
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Pakistan offers over 70 offshore and onshore blocks to foreign investors for oil and gas exploration

Pakistan offers over 70 offshore and onshore blocks to foreign investors for oil and gas exploration
  • Pakistan, which imports most of its energy needs, is currently looking for ways to lessen the cost of power generation
  • The South Asian country is focusing on indigenization, electrification and liberalization to advance its energy sector

ISLAMABAD: Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik on Tuesday said that Pakistan was offering foreign investors 40 offshore and 31 onshore blocks for oil and gas exploration, Pakistani state media reported, as Islamabad pursues a multi-pronged strategy to advance the energy sector.
The statement by the petroleum minister came at the 30th Annual Technical Conference and Oil Show in Islamabad, which brought together experts, officials of regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to discuss oil and gas exploration, and renewable energy resources.
Pakistan is currently focusing on indigenization, electrification and liberalization to advance the energy sector, and has identified Access to Energy, Provision of Affordable Energy and Sustainability of Energy as fundamental pillars of its strategy.
Speaking at the conference, Malik said a significant portion of Pakistan’s natural resources remained unexplored and invited international investors to capitalize on opportunities in these newly opened blocks, the state-run APP news agency reported.
“Pakistan is open for business and we will provide all necessary facilitation to investors,” the petroleum minister was quoted as saying.
Pakistan, which has been struggling with an economic crisis, imports most of its energy needs and is currently looking for ways to lessen the cost of power generation.
Malik said reducing energy prices for the underprivileged was one of the government’s top priorities and efforts were underway to increase local production.
“We are utilizing domestic resources for energy,” he said, adding that Pakistan possessed untapped shale and tight gas reserves.
The minister said the government was introducing a deregulation policy and aimed to open the oil sector under a price cap mechanism, stressing the importance of transitioning the sector to modern technology.
“Prosperity will not come by simply introducing one machine,” he said. “For sustainable growth, we must engage in science and research ourselves.”


Punjab CM lays foundation stone of 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Lahore

Punjab CM lays foundation stone of 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Lahore
Updated 18 February 2025
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Punjab CM lays foundation stone of 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Lahore

Punjab CM lays foundation stone of 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Lahore
  • $250 million hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment along international standards
  • The Saudi-German Hospital Network is a leading health care provider in UAE, Egypt, Yemen and Morocco

ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister of Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has laid the foundation stone for a 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Smart City, Lahore, which will cost $250 million, state television reported on Tuesday.
The Saudi-German Hospital Network, founded in 1988, is a leading private health care provider in the Middle East and North Africa region. It is operated by the Middle East Healthcare Company and spans Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco and Pakistan.
Known for advanced medical care in specialties like cardiology, neurology and oncology, the Saudi-German Hospital collaborates with top German institutions and integrates AI-driven solutions. The network continues to expand and meet growing health care demands with a reputation for cutting-edge technology and skilled professionals.
“Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has laid the foundation stone of Saudi-German Hospital in Smart City Lahore,” Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) reported. “The hospital will be a 300-bed medical facility and will be completed at a cost of $250 million.”
The hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and provide international standard medical facilities, it said, adding that the project would be a “huge source of employment for the people.”
PTV quoted Sharif as saying that the government values the private sector’s commitment to bringing positive changes to the country’s health care system.
She called improving the health care system her “priority,” with the Saudi-German Hospital marking a key milestone in enhancing public health and establishing a welfare society, according to state media.
Earlier in February, the Saudi Fund for Development approved a $40 million grant to build the King Salman Hospital in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Last August, the Saudi-German Hospital signed a partnership deal with the Capital Smart City in Islamabad.
Saudi Arabia has been a key ally of Pakistan, providing financial aid, oil subsidies and investments in sectors like energy and health care. The two nations share strong religious and cultural ties, with millions of Pakistani expatriates contributing to both economies. Their partnership is further strengthened through trade, defense cooperation and diplomatic support.