Zafar Mairaj (Urdu, Balochi, Brahui: ظفر معراج; born 11 October 1968) is a Pakistani drama writer,[1][2] lyricist and short story writer. He primarily writes in Urdu but has also written in Brahui and Balochi.[3] He has written more than 50 drama serials, plays and telefilms for PTV and private television networks, such as Aaj TV, Indus TV, Geo Entertainment, ARY Digital and Hum TV.[4]

Zafar Mairaj
Born
Zafar Mairaj Mashwani

(1968-10-11) 11 October 1968 (age 56)
Mastung, West Pakistan (present-day Balochistan, Pakistan)
NationalityPakistani
Occupation(s)Civil engineer, drama writer, lyricist, poet, short-story writer
Years active1991–present

Early life

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He was born in Syed (Mashwani) house to Mohammad Mairaj.[citation needed] He matriculated from Helper Public School, Quetta and for intermediate he went to Tameer-e-Nau Public College, Quetta. He got the bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology, Khuzdar.[citation needed]

While he was a college student he wrote short stories, columns in magazines and newspapers, and participated in literary events. He worked as a journalist for a while until he wrote his first long play Amarbail for PTV in 1991.[citation needed]

Career

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He chose the problems of the Lower Middle Class as a theme for his writing, as he himself belonged to the same deprived class of the society.[citation needed]

YouTube

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In 2021 Zafar Mairaj started a social service series Khanabadosh, on a YouTube Channel Nashpati Prime. Khanabadosh episodically covers an array of social topics such as value system, prejudice, human rights and life in general.[5]

He will soon appear in Banjara, on similar lines of Khanabadosh. Banjara will be featured on his official YouTube channel.[6]

Screenwriting credits

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Year Title Notes Ref.
1991 Amarbail [4]
1994 Shantul in Balochi language
1995 Shantul
Safar
1996 Ajnabee
1997 Ijazat
Dozakh [4]
2001 Daddy
Kisay Wakeel Karain
2002 Allap
2004 Werdi
Masuri
Mahnoor
Sufaid posh
2005 Muqadddas
Laadla
2006 Koh Zade
Maa aur Mamta
2007 Pakistan Ka Matlab Kya... Television film
Lyari express
Vanee
Shikwah
Aurat Aur Char Devari
2008 Mehmaan
Mann Se Pocho
2009 Mulaqat
Ishq Ki Inteha
Darwaza
2010 Intezar
Zafar Mairaj Ki Kahaniyan
Ghar Ki Khatir
2011 Kesi Yeh Agan
Palki
2015 Ashk
Mehram
2016 Sangat
2017 Dumpukht - Aatish-e-Ishq
Munkir
2018 Lashkara
2019 Marham
Inkaar [4]
2023 Kabuli Pulao
2024 Mann Jogi Miniseries

Accolades

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Drama Year Award Nominated/winner
shantul 1996 PTV Award Winner – best writer drama serial
Ijazat 1997 PTV Award Nominated – best writer drama serial
Kisay wakeel karain 2001 PTV Award Nominated – best writer drama serial
Murad 2003 Indus Telefilm Festival Winner - Best Writer TV Film Girhan From Ptv Karachi Center
Masuri 2004 PTV Award Nominated – best writer drama serial
Maa aur mamta 2005 The 1st Indus Drama Awards Winner – best writer drama series
Kohzade 2006

Girhan From Karachi

PTV prize Winner – best writer independent play
Pakistan ka matlab kya! 2007 PTV prize Winner – best writer independent play
Aurat aur chardiwari 2007 Indus drama award Winner – best writer drama series
Lyari express 2007 PTV Award Winner – best writer drama serial
Pehla pathar 2008 PTV prize Winner – best writer telefilm
Darwaza 2010 PTV Award Nominated – best writer drama serial
Dumpukht 2016 Lux Style Award Nominated - best writer drama serial

He has received most nominations for Best Writer without ever winning.

Ceremony Category Project Result
9th Lux Style Awards[7] Best Television Writer Darwaza Nominated
10th Lux Style Awards[8] Ghar Ki Khatir
16th Lux Style Awards[9] Dampukht
17th Lux Style Awards[10] Muqabil
19th Lux Style Awards[11] Inkaar

References

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  1. ^ Anwar, Shazia (1 November 2009). "Zafar Mairaj". Humsay Magazine. Vol. 6, no. 26. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  2. ^ The Herald, Volume 38, Issues 4–6. 2007.
  3. ^ Ahmad, Ather (6 March 2020). "Meet the man bringing folk wisdom to social media". Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Alavi, Omair (22 March 2020). "Top-rated writers today". The News International. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Khanabadosh I Sukoon Kya Hai? I Saada Si Baat I Nashpati Prime". 14 October 2020 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ https://www.youtube.com/@zafar.mairaj [bare URL]
  7. ^ "https://fashioncentral.pk/fashion_events/9th-lux-style-awards-2010/"
  8. ^ "https://web.archive.org/web/20111108022835/http://www.rewaj.com/fashion/lux-style-awards-2011-nominations.html"
  9. ^ "https://images.dawn.com/news/1177454" (16)
  10. ^ "https://images.dawn.com/news/1179502" (17)
  11. ^ "https://images.dawn.com/news/1182224" (19)
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