Hum Awards 2025: A Glittering Night in Houston — But Why Celebrate Just 20% of Pakistan’s Entertainment Industry?

With ARY Digital, Geo TV, Green Entertainment, PTV, and Express producing most of Pakistan’s dramas, should Hum Awards evolve into a united industry celebration instead of a single-channel showcase?

WEBDESK – IMRAN MALIK – October 11, 2025:
Pakistan’s entertainment landscape thrives with six powerhouse networks — ARY Digital, Geo TV, Hum TV, Green Entertainment, PTV, and Express Entertainment — yet the 10th Hum Awards 2025, held at Houston’s iconic NRG Arena, recognized only a fraction of the year’s creative output.

This year’s event celebrated excellence in television, music, fashion, and film, honoring standout performers and creators who shaped the entertainment scene in 2024. Even before the show began, social media buzz was at its peak as fans eagerly awaited their favorite stars’ red carpet appearances and dazzling performances.

The red carpet looked straight out of a movie set. Hosts Aniqa Zulfiqar, Mahnoor Khan, and Uzair Hasan added flair to the evening, while the main ceremony, hosted by Yasir Hussain, Mohib Mirza, Hareem Farooq, Ramsha Khan, and Dananeer Mobeen, kept the crowd entertained with their humor and charm.

Musical legends Ali Zafar, Asim Azhar, Ali Haider, and Ahmed Jahanzeb delivered heart-touching performances that captivated the audience. A nostalgic tribute to Nazia and Zohaib Hassan brought goosebumps to the hall, while Mehwish Hayat, Humayun Saeed, Ramsha Khan, and Shuja Haider impressed in spectacular stage sequences.

The star-studded audience included Mahira Khan, Sajal Aly, Bilal Abbas Khan, Hania Aamir, Adnan Siddiqui, Faysal Quraishi, Durefishan Saleem, and Nadia Jamil. The presence of Sultana Siddiqui and Duraid Qureshi added prestige and credibility to the evening, showcasing Hum Network’s consistency in celebrating Pakistan’s creative excellence.

Bilal Abbas Khan won Best Actor (Male) for Ishq Murshid, while Sajal Aly took home Best Actress (Female) for Zard Patton Ka Bunn. Ishq Murshid also bagged Best Drama (Popular), while Zard Patton Ka Bunn earned the Jury Award. Hania Aamir received the Global Star Award, and Nadia Jamil was honored as Best Supporting Actress.

Full winners list highlights:

• Best OST: Ahmed Jahanzeb – Ishq Murshid
• Best Supporting Actor: Ali Tahir – Zard Patton Ka Bunn
• Best Actor in Negative Role: Faysal Quraishi – Zulm
• Best Director: Saif-e-Hassan (Zard Patton Ka Bunn) & Farooq Rind (Ishq Murshid)
• Best Writer: Mustafa Afridi – Zard Patton Ka Bunn
• Best Actress Debut: Sahar Hashmi – Zulm
• Best Actor Debut: Zarrar Khan – Jaffa
• Best Performing Soap: Be Rung
• Best Long Serial: Sultanat
• Hum Special Golden Plate: Adnan Siddiqui

Over the years, Hum Awards have traveled from Karachi to Dubai, Toronto, London, and Houston, taking Pakistani entertainment to global audiences. However, many in the industry are now questioning the purpose and inclusivity of the event.

Critics Raise Serious Questions

Industry critics have highlighted three key concerns:

Why are Pakistani awards being held in Houston?

Is the main purpose to generate ticket revenue or fulfill sponsor and client commitments?

Or is it truly an effort to take Pakistani entertainment to the international stage?

If the latter is the case, critics argue, then all national award shows — not just Hum Awards — should be taken abroad to represent the entire Pakistani entertainment industry, not just one channel.

The founder of Hum TV, Sultana Siddiqui, commands deep respect across all channels and sections of the media. With her leadership and vision, she has the unique ability to unite ARY Digital, Geo TV, Green Entertainment, PTV, Express Entertainment, and others on one grand platform — creating a mega, all-channel industry awards event, reminiscent of the golden era of PTV Awards.

If the canvas grows bigger, the credibility, authority, and public trust in the awards will multiply. Such an initiative could become a historic milestone for Hum TV — transforming it from a channel-led celebration into a truly national platform honoring Pakistan’s entertainment industry in its full, creative glory.