Aftab Iqbal

Aftab Iqbal is a Pakistani television host, journalist and businessman. He founded the international news channel Aap Media Group.

Early life and education

Aftab Iqbal was born on 19 September 1958 in Okara. He belongs to a prominent Punjabi Mian Arain family of 49/3.r. His father, Zafar Iqbal, worked as an Urdu poet and newspaper columnist.

He completed his master's degree at Government College University (Lahore) in 1985. After this, he traveled to California to study further. He earned a diploma in History of Mass Communications from San Jose State University in 1986.

Career

Iqbal began his professional journey as a reporter between 1986 and 1987. He held various positions within private sector companies in Pakistan during this period. From 1994 to 1995, he served briefly as a Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab.

He wrote a column titled "Aaftabian" for the Nawa-i-Waqt newspaper from 1995 to 2010. His television career includes several notable hosting roles across various networks. He hosted Hasb-e-Haal on Dunya News from 2009 to 2010. Between 2010 and 2015, he hosted the program Khabarnaak on Geo News.

The host moved to Express News to present Khabardaar from 2015 to 2018. He then joined 92 News for the show Himaqatain during 2018 and 2019. In 2019, he hosted Khabarzar on Aap News until 2020. He worked at Neo News from 2020 to 2021 before returning to Express News for Khabardaar Season 2 between 2021 and 2022.

He presented Khabarhar on Samaa TV News from 2022 to 2023. Since 2024, he has been producing Khabarhar Season 2 on web digital platforms. This production involves a digital connection with his team in a Lahore studio. While the crew remains in Pakistan, Iqbal, co-host Dr. Arooba and researcher Shakeel Chaudhary reside in the UAE.

In October 2018, he launched Aap News and managed its administrative affairs. He also established a presence on YouTube by starting his channel on 7 January 2017. This digital platform features shows such as Open Mic Cafe, Amaniyat, Dialogue With History and Chacha Boota.

As a writer and host, he focused his scripts on political comedy and satire. The cast of Khabarnaak performed parodies of figures like Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad or Shahbaz Sharif. He also included an educational segment called Zabaan-o-Bayaan to correct language pronunciation errors. Many viewers credit him with increasing the television ratings at three different Pakistani channels.

Personal life

He was born into a prominent Punjabi Mian Arain family in Okara. His father was the newspaper columnist Zafar Iqbal.