Written by: Aroosh Ammad
Posted on: May 21, 2026 | 
Faiza Saleem is a popular Pakistani comedian
A path as a comedian is an unusual decision for a Pakistani woman, yet Faiza has overcome those challenges. Faiza Saleem manages to be extremely impolite without facing consequences. She calls actress Hania Aamir's dimples ‘khadday’ and inquires of Abbas Ali Jafri if he has head lice.
She sits opposite Yasir Hussain and Bilal Abbas Khan and discusses their poor career decisions. She’s provocative, unseemly, and quite boastful about it as well. She accomplishes everything by delivering her witty remarks while staying 'in character' as a round, sarcastic, and irritating 'Dadi'. Dadi is truly a YouTube sensation. With glasses on, her head wrapped and a silver pandaan beside her, she often wiggles her eyebrows suggestively and shifts from flirtatious to foul-mouthed thug in an instant. The renowned guests she brings in for brief interviews face a challenging experience in her hot seat.
Faiza Saleem aka Dadi with Yasir Hussain
"She’s my favourite among all the roles I have portrayed up to now," Faiza informs me. "If I were to repeat everything that Dadi says, others would cease communicating with me." However, Dadi is my other self. I can act completely disrespectfully, and it merely gets brushed aside with laughter.
The funny Dadi is just one aspect of the complex Faiza. Throughout a career lasting seven years, I have been recognized for four, she notes. Faiza has assumed various roles, performing short skits that she scripts: the aunty on the call, the uninterested socialite, the English-loving braggart, the consumer-driven girlfriend, among others.
“I pay a lot of attention,” she clarifies. "I constantly take quick notes on things I observe that I might want to write about in the future." For example, individuals believe it’s essential to communicate in English, even if they lack proficiency, solely to give the impression of being better than others. Or how we often begin chats with ‘I’m not one to gossip but...’ and then proceed to gossip endlessly. Or how, at a memorial, there is often that one individual, typically only loosely related to the departed, who feels compelled to create a scene by weeping dramatically but then forgets all sorrow when the meal is presented!
Faiza Saleem with Hania Aamir
Her keen observational skills have resulted in numerous skits shared on Facebook and YouTube. Faiza's status as a widely recognized figure today demonstrates the power of social media.
The stand-up comic stepped into the spotlight and delivered a successful performance. Kbar Chaudry, who has been a leader of the improv-comedy group LOL Waalay for a while, has gained a substantial fanbase, attributed in part to his unique comedic style and in part to his extremely curly hair that has now gained popularity on its own.
Since Saad Haroon, Chaudry is arguably the first comic to have risen as a successful stand-up performer. It follows logically that he would ultimately expand into a solo exhibition.
Akbar Chaudhary attending a show
In came Curly Haired Comedy! Stand-up Comedy featuring Akbar Chaudry. The stand-up performance occurred at PACC from August 12th to 14th; the start of the three-day schedule was hindered by significant traffic congestion in the city. Protests and festivities—both of which, ironically, appear to occur simultaneously in Karachi- are the primary reason.
At a certain moment on Friday, Chaudry, who was backstage, humorously remarked, “Should I come out now or has nobody arrived for the show?”
Individuals had certainly shown up, leading one to question whether Chaudry was truly impressed with the attendance or if he was squinting due to the stage illumination.
The event on Friday was initiated by Umer Ahmed and Hassaan bin Shaheen (the lead vocalist of The Platoon). Although Ahmed's act was humorous in a highly incredulous, "he really didn't just say that" manner, Shaheen delivered several astute moments, and it’s safe to say, people will forever view the game of chess differently.
Akbar Chaudhary performing
Chaudhry’s performance on Friday was somewhat unstable. Nonetheless, he appeared to thrive when dissecting popular lyrics and commercials critically—an aspect for which his online video skit 'Bilingual Bitchings' has gained recognition.
Enthusiasts of the Ding-Dong bubble-gum advertisement certainly faced an unpleasant surprise. Although some of the jokes appeared to be redundant and his routine relied on a few expected themes, Chaudry's sharp wit and unique perspective on the topics prevented the performance from faltering. If the transitions had been more intuitive and seamless, his set might have been more successful. Excavations conducted at Mathira also appeared somewhat unappealing and below Chaudry, who has previously demonstrated his capability with the script. We wish he could resolve that in the subsequent shows.
Ultimately, Chaudry demonstrated that, despite some minor issues, he can attract an audience and manage a performance solo, although it wasn't his finest work, it still offered a decent hour and a half of nearly clean humor. It's encouraging to observe that the scene is gradually changing to enable well-known comedians to leverage their fame and perform solo shows - a development that could assist various comedy styles in establishing their presence in the city, if not nationwide. We’re surely hoping for the best and marking attendance for all upcoming comedy shows.
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