Mehwish Hayat is a renowned Pakistani actress, hailing from a well-established show business family, and has been actively involved in the industry since an extremely early age. With a remarkable track record, she has earned the title of being the current reigning box office queen, having delivered five consecutive hits in a row.
Known for pushing boundaries and taking on challenging roles, Mehwish has transitioned from playing a dancer in her first film to a simple Punjabi girl in her last movie, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Not only is she the most commercially successful actress in Pakistan, but she has also demonstrated her acting prowess by appearing in unconventional roles in several award-winning short films.
In 2019, Mehwish was honored by the President of Pakistan with the National Civil Award, the Tamgha - I - Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence),for her significant contributions to the Arts and Pakistani Cinema. Additionally, The Muslim Vibe recognized her as one of the top 5 most influential Muslim women in the world that same year.
As a model, Mehwish has appeared in advertisements for some of the world's leading brands, covering telecoms to beauty products. She is one of the most socially active celebrities in South Asia and the Middle East, fearlessly speaking out on global media outlets about human rights abuses and the representation of Muslims and Pakistanis in mainstream media. For many years, she has been advocating for diversity and inclusivity in media.
In 2019, Mehwish was appointed Ambassador for the Rights of the Girl Child by the Ministry of Human Rights in Pakistan. She is also an Ambassador for the global charity Penny Appeal, tackling the issue of education in Pakistan and campaigning to build schools in rural Sind.
This year, Mehwish will launch her ambitious Global initiative, Women's Leadership Exchange, bringing together thought leaders and noteworthy women to address issues that matter to women and finding a solution through a manifesto for change.
As an esteemed member of various organizations, Mehwish sits on the board of the Pakistan National Council of Arts and is a member of the official Oscar selection committee in Pakistan. Additionally, she is an accomplished singer, having sung several popular songs for television, including appearing on the prestigious Coke Studio, and has undertaken several sell-out music tours in the US, playing to arenas across the country.
