Mirawas

Hayatullah Khan, professionally recognized as Mirawas, was a Pakistani comedian and singer who utilized social commentary through humor. His career spanned 60 years and included the production of over 500 cassettes along with 800 comedy albums.

Early life and education

Born in 1955 in Tangi, Charsadda, Hayatullah Khan began telling jokes during his childhood. He came from a farming family where he often entertained labourers and farmers through impromptu performances. These early shows blended humor with social commentary to engage his audience. By the ninth grade, he hosted weekly joke sessions for schoolchildren. This practice helped him earn a local reputation as a comic.

Career

Mirawas began his widespread career as a comedian during the 1980s. While working on PTV during that decade, he campaigned against drug addiction. His talent took him across borders, as he performed on stage in about 20 countries. He appeared on numerous radio and television programmes throughout his life.

The comedian was also a published author of two books. His first book arrived in the 1980s, while his second work, titled Gap da Mirawas, contained satiric poems and parodies of famous Pashto or Urdu songs. His comedic style remained typically unscripted because he relied on real-life observations to craft his jokes. He frequently targeted social ills such as academic pressure and drug addiction.

Mirawas believed in the therapeutic power of laughter. He once stated that an hour of fun can erase months of depression. He observed that children often went to school with slumped faces because society had forgotten how to laugh.

After he retired from the spotlight, he managed the roadside Mirawas Hotel. This establishment was located in Ghazi Beg within the Mohmand Agency tribal area.

Personal life

The later years of his life were difficult due to health challenges and financial struggles. He suffered from kidney disease and diabetes during this period. In 2024, an appeal for medical aid was made to help him manage these issues. Although he faced hardship, he eventually received donations from his peers and fans.

Hayatullah Khan died in Tangi, Charsadda on 3 April 2025. His passing prompted reactions from various political figures. Aftab Sherpao, the leader of the Qaumi Watan Party, described the death as a loss to satire. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed his condolences regarding the loss.

Fans often compared him to the Umer Sharif of Pashto. Many followers lamented the lack of institutional support that he received for his art.