Frieha Altaf

Frieha Altaf is a Pakistani actress, former model, host, film director, producer, and human rights activist. She serves as the CEO of Catwalk Event Management and Sahil, an organization she founded in 1989.

Early life and education

Altaf completed her education in the United States before she returned to Pakistan in 1986. While living in Karachi, she worked as a sculptor and a painter. A modeling agent approached her during an exhibition, which led her to begin modeling for advertising. Her mother, Yasmeen, was a model during the 1960s.

She traveled to Canada to study fashion design. While there, she earned a diploma in fashion design and taught at the Barbizon Institute.

Career

Altaf began her modeling career at age 18 before she moved to the USA. She also participated in theater and various stage plays. During one jewelry shoot, she was paired with supermodel Atiya Khan. In 1986, she traveled abroad for a modeling show for Maheen Khan during the Pakistan versus India cricket cup match in Sharjah. This event proved to be a success for her career.

She hosted Lux Style Ki Duniya on PTV in 1989. Her acting debut occurred in 1990 when she played the character Shahana in the long play Rozi, which was directed by Sahira Kazmi. In 1991, she appeared in the drama Kohar as Neelam. This production featured Shakeel, Marina Khan, and Fauzia Wahab.

Altaf has made guest appearances in several films, including Lahore Se Aagey, Wajood, Baaji, and Parey Hut Love. In 2014, she introduced the actress and model Areeba Habib to the Pakistani fashion industry. She launched the FWhy Podcast in 2022 to interview various performers. Her guests have included Imran Ashraf, Humayun Saeed, and Zara Noor Abbas.

Personal life

Altaf has been married three times, though all three marriages ended in divorce. She has two children from her third marriage and maintains custody of them. Her sister, Neshmia Ahmed, is a former model and the CEO of Grandeur Art Gallery.

In 2018, she disclosed details regarding childhood abuse during an interview with Nida Yasir and Farah. She stated that a cook abused her when she was six years old while her parents were on vacation in Japan. She reported the incident to her mother upon their return, which resulted in the arrest of the cook. Altaf noted that the experience was traumatizing for both her and her mother, but she eventually recovered.

Awards and recognition

She serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for Sahil. She received this appointment in 2018.