Culture and Tourism Minister for Sindh, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, has claimed that the federal government rejected the nominations of leading actors Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.
The minister said that the two stars were nominated twice by the Sindh Culture Department, but the federal government did not include them among the recipients of the prestigious national award.
Speaking at the opening of the eight day Wes-Dhaari Sindhi Theatre Festival 2026 in Karachi, Shah stated that the Sindh Culture Department had submitted the names of Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz on two separate occasions.
He pointed out that the nominations were made by a committee comprising prominent personalities, but the federal government reportedly rejected the recommendations for reasons that had not been explained.
The minister questioned why the two prominent actors from Sindh had not been recognised at the federal level despite their contributions to Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
Shah highlighted the broader contribution of Sindh’s artists, saying that they have established themselves not only in Pakistan but also in India and the Gulf countries.
He said artists from the province have helped promote Pakistan’s cultural identity beyond the country’s borders, yet many have not received the recognition they deserve from the federal government.
The minister specifically described Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa as major Pakistani stars who have represented the country on the global stage.
Shah urged the federal government to pay greater attention to artists and the cultural sector, stressing that prominent performers from Sindh have brought pride to Pakistan and deserve greater recognition at the national level.
“I urge the federal government to pay attention to artists and the cultural sector,” he stressed.
The minister reiterated that Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa had been nominated for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz twice but were ultimately not selected.
He remarked that the issue reflects a wider need for stronger federal support and recognition for artists who contribute to Pakistan’s cultural and entertainment landscape.
