# Anwar Maqsood

Anwar Maqsood Hameedi (born 7 September 1939, Urdu:انور مقصود حمیدی ), popularly known as Anwar Maqsood, is a Pakistani scriptwriter, television presenter, satirist, humorist, and infrequent actor. He is well known for his drama write-ups for PTV in the late 1970s and 1980s.

## Early life and family

Anwar Maqsood was born on 7 September 1939 in Hyderabad State. He studied at the Gulbarga Trust School in Aurangabad. His large family migrated to Karachi in 1948, after the creation of Pakistan in 1947. His childhood years were spent in PIB Colony, Karachi with his siblings and family.
Maqsood belongs to a prominent family of Pakistan and some of his siblings are well known in their own right: his sister, Fatima Surayya Bajia was a well-known writer in Pakistan and South Asia whose marriage ended early in divorce. She then chose to play a key role in the upbringing of her nine young brothers and sisters and became a maternal figure to them. Another sister Zehra Nigah, is a relatively well-known poet. One of his brothers, Ahmed Maqsood, is a former Chief Secretary Sindh; and his sister Zubaida Tariq was a cooking expert and chef. His wife, Imrana Maqsood, is a known novelist and his son, Bilal Maqsood is a rock artist, lead guitarist and vocalist of former rock band Strings. He has one daughter. A book on the life and work of Anwar Maqsood titled Uljhey Suljhey Anwar (الجھے سلجھے انور) was written by his wife, Imrana Maqsood.

## Career

Anwar Maqsood has been associated for many years with PTV where he served as a presenter for a variety of Television programs including Studio Dhai and then Studio Ponay Teen along with Show Sha and various other shows.

## Works

Maqsood is often regarded as one of the leading Pakistani satirists/writers as well as highly respected in social and showbiz industry of Pakistan. Anwar Maqsood is often given credit for encouraging talented television actors like Bushra Ansari and Moin Akhter. He wrote various successful plays for the television industry, including:
| Network | Name | Genre | Type | Year |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Aik Sachi Chuk | Comedy | Long play | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Aik Thi Safia | | Long play | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Amma | | Long play | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Aangan Terha | Comedy | Drama serial | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Chun Chunao | Comedy | Drama serial | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Dour-e-Junoon (Drama 83) | | Long play | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Fifty Fifty | Comedy | Sketch comedy | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Fanooni Latifey | Comedy | Long play | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Half Plate | Comedy | Long play | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Iss Tarah To Hota Hai | Comedy | Drama serial | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Karim Sahab Ka Ghar (Sachi Kahaniyan) | Comedy | Long play | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Nasri Ganey | Comedy | Long play | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Show Time | Comedy | Stage show | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Show Sha | Comedy | Stage show | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Silver Jubilee | | Stage show | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Studio Dhaai | | Stage show | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Studio Ponay Teen | Comedy | Stage show | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Talaash | | Drama serial | |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Zia Mohi-ud-Din Show | Comedy | Stage show | 1969–1973 |
| Pakistan Television Corporation | Yeh Kahan Ki Dosti Hai | | Long play | 1988 |
| Network Television Marketing | Studio Chaar Bees | Comedy | | |
| Network Television Marketing | Sitara Aur Mehrunissa | Romance | Drama serial | |
| Network Television Marketing | Nadan Nadia | Comedy | Drama serial | |
| Network Television Marketing | Colony 52 | | Drama serial | |
| ARY Digital Network | Loose Talk | Comedy | Talk show | |
| ARY Digital Network | Aik Naya Mashaira | Comedy | Telefilm | |
| ARY Digital Network | Majoo Mian | | | |
| Express Entertainment | Hum Pe Jo Guzarti Hai | | | |
| Other | Pawnay 14 August | Satire | One-act play | 2012 |
| Other | Sawa 14 August | Satire | One-act play | 2013 |
| Other | Anwar Maqsood ka Dharna | Satire | Play | 2014 |
| Other | Siachen | Satire | Play | 2015 |
| Other | Saadhay 14 August | Satire | Play | 2022 |
He also wrote the lyrics of Nestlé Nido Young Stars theme, "Meri Pyari Ammi Jaan" (English: My Dear Mother)

## Education

Anwar Maqsood received his education in Pakistan. He completed his matriculation from St. Patrick's High School, Karachi. He then went on to study at the Sindh Muslim Government Law College, also in Karachi. He graduated with a degree in Law and began his career as a lawyer. However, he soon realized that his true passion was in the field of creative writing and entertainment, and he transitioned into the field of scriptwriting, television hosting, and comedy.

## Awards

* Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan in 1994
* Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2013
* PTV Superstar award at PTV Awards in 2000
* Lifetime Achievement Honour at 4th Pakistan Media Awards
* Lifetime Achievement Award at the 3rd Hum Awards