Pakistan International Screen Awards: A History of Celebration and Controversy
The Pakistan International Screen Awards (PISA) were established to honor excellence across the diverse landscape of Pakistani entertainment. By recognizing achievements in film, television, music, fashion, and digital content, the awards aim to provide a global platform for Pakistani talent, with ceremonies traditionally hosted in the cosmopolitan hub of Dubai.
Key Facts
- Inaugural Event: Held on February 7, 2020, at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai.
- Scope: Covers television, film, music, fashion, and social media personalities.
- Second Edition: Held on November 5, 2021, at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
- Recent Status: The third ceremony, planned for November 2025, was postponed due to visa delays.
The Inaugural Ceremony (2020)
Announced in November 2019, the first PISA ceremony took place on February 7, 2020. The event sought to celebrate a wide array of talent, with nominations spanning multiple media formats. The evening was highlighted by the success of the drama Meray Paas Tum Ho, which secured several accolades, including Best TV Play, Best TV Actor (Humayun Saeed), and Best TV Actress (Ayeza Khan).
In the film category, Superstar took home the award for Best Picture, while Asim Raza was recognized as Best Director for Parey Hut Love.
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Despite the glitz, the first ceremony was marred by logistical failures. Several nominees criticized the organizers over travel and attendance arrangements. Specifically, Nabeel Zafar noted that while his name was used for promotion, no travel arrangements were provided. Hasan Rizvi, chief of Body Beat PR, later issued an apology for the mismanagement.
The Second Ceremony (2021)
The second edition of the awards was held on November 5, 2021, at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. This ceremony featured 24 categories across television, music, fashion, and digital content. Notably, film categories were omitted from this edition because the Pakistani cinema industry had been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent theater closures.
A significant change in the 2021 edition was the introduction of jury-selected categories to complement the awards decided by online public voting. Pyar Ke Sadqay emerged as a major winner, securing Best TV Serial, Best Director (Farooq Rind), and Best Writer (Zanjabeel Asim Shah). Other notable winners included Feroze Khan, Sarah Khan, Mohib Mirza, Sonya Hussyn, Asim Azhar, Aima Baig, Khaadi, Romaisa Khan, and Ducky Bhai.
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Similar to the first event, the second ceremony faced criticism. Reports surfaced regarding the last-minute cancellation of tickets for some nominees. Furthermore, in January 2022, actor Ali Abbas claimed he had been informed he won Best Supporting Actor, only for the award to be presented to Ahmed Ali Butt during the event.
The Planned Third Ceremony and Postponement
After a four-year hiatus, nominations for the third PISA edition were announced in October 2025. The event was scheduled for November 22, 2025, at Dubai's Festival Arena, covering 22 of the 24 standard categories. The appointed jury consisted of Hassan Choudary, Taimoor Salahuddin, Kamran Jawaid, Maliha Rehman, and Sabah Bano Malik, with Aamna Isani serving as the jury manager.
However, on November 20, 2025, organizers announced the postponement of the ceremony. The delay was attributed to visa processing issues affecting performers, nominees, and other participants. A rescheduled date has yet to be announced.
PISA Event Summary
| Edition | Date | Venue | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Ceremony | Feb 7, 2020 | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Meray Paas Tum Ho and Superstar dominated. |
| 2nd Ceremony | Nov 5, 2021 | Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai | Introduction of jury awards; no film categories. |
| 3rd Ceremony | Planned Nov 2025 | Festival Arena, Dubai | Postponed due to visa processing delays. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were there no film awards in the 2021 ceremony?
Film categories were excluded from the second ceremony because the Pakistani cinema industry was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting closure of theaters.
Who won the top acting awards at the first PISA?
Humayun Saeed won Best TV Actor and Ayeza Khan won Best TV Actress, both for their roles in Meray Paas Tum Ho.
What caused the postponement of the 2025 ceremony?
The organizers postponed the event on November 20, 2025, citing delays in visa processing for nominees, performers, and other participants.
How are the winners determined for the awards?
While early awards relied on various methods, the 2021 edition specifically introduced a mix of jury-decided categories and awards determined by online voting.
What controversies have surrounded the PISA events?
The awards have faced criticism regarding mismanagement of travel arrangements for nominees in 2020, ticket cancellations in 2021, and conflicting reports regarding award winners.