Zara Abid

Zara Abid is a Pakistani model and actress who gained recognition for her presence in the fashion and film industries. She was born on 4 April 1992 and became known for her distinctive appearance within the modeling sector. Her career included various professional photo shoots and acting roles before her untimely passing in 2020.

Career

Abid established herself as a fashion icon by utilizing her tall height and tanned complexion. She stood out in an industry that was often dominated by models with lighter skin. According to Abid, she faced discrimination regarding her hiring during the early stages of her career. She attributed these challenges to her physical looks and skin colour, yet she eventually secured opportunities based on her professional talent. A makeup artist noted that she embodied the dusky skin colour of many Pakistani women. One of her specific makeup campaigns became a bestseller because it captured this aesthetic.

Her modeling career faced scrutiny in 2019 following a photoshoot for Hello Mag. The images featured Abid styled with a skin tone many shades darker than her natural complexion. Critics perceived the shoot as racist and accused the production of promoting blackface or cultural misappropriation. Abid defended the decision on her Instagram account by stating the goal was to empower darker-skinned women. She also challenged the existing colourism in society—questioning why she faced criticism for a dark profile when she had previously been presented in lighter tones.

Abid transitioned into acting with her debut role in the film Chaudhry – The Martyr. Directed by Azeem Sajjad and written by Zeeshan Junaid, this biopic follows the life of police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan. She portrays a college student in the production. Abid began shooting for this project in December 2018 after deciding the strong character was relatable to her own persona. The film was expected to be released in 2020.

Television appearances included a guest spot on the comedy show Mazaaq Raat on 16 January 2019. Following her death, her first and only short film titled Sikka was uploaded to YouTube on 24 May 2020. This silent film features Abid portraying two female characters with opposite social statuses. Although their lives differ in wealth, the characters share similar struggles as women. Saba Qamar provides the third-person narration for the project.

Personal life

Abid was traveling to Karachi after attending her uncle's funeral in Lahore when the accident occurred. She had been modeling for the clothing brand Sana Safinaz at the time of her departure. On 22 May 2020, she was a passenger aboard PIA Flight 8303. The aircraft crashed while it was making its final approach to Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. A flight manifest from PIA confirmed her name was on the list of passengers.

The crash resulted in 97 deaths out of the 99 people on board. While some initial reports suggested she might have survived, she was not listed among the survivors. Her brother requested that the media stop spreading fake news while the family searched for updates at the hospital. Following the confirmation of her death, friends and family deactivated her social media accounts.

Awards and recognition

Abid received professional accolades during the final year of her life. In January 2020, she won the award for Best Female Model at the 4th Hum Style Awards. She was also included in the Top 100 People list by the Pakistan edition of Hello! magazine.