Waqar Zaka

Waqar Zaka is a Pakistani VJ-turned-television host.[1]

Waqar Zaka
Zaka in 2020
NationalityPakistani
OccupationTelevision host
Years active2005–present
Known forLiving on the Edge
Champions
Websitewaqarzaka.net

Early life

According to Zaka, he is 2000 batch engineering graduate of NED University of Engineering & Technology.[2]

Zaka began his career during his college life by releasing the student song Nahi Parha Meine Poora Saal back in the year 1995 at the age of 16 while he was studying in 12th Standard at Adamjee Science College,[3] first broadcast on 90s very popular Pakistani TV Channel STN (Shalimar Television Network) and then became a VJ. After earning fame as VJ, he started hosting a TV reality show Living on the Edge.[4][5][1] Waqar then created and hosted reality shows XPOSED,[5] King of Street Magic,[5] Desi Kudiyan and The Cricket Challenge aired on ARY Musik.[6]

In the 2013 Pakistani general election, Zaka ran for the seat of the National Assembly of Pakistan from Karachi NA-253 constituency,[7] but was unsuccessful[4] and secured only 31 votes out of the 211,768 total votes cast.[8] Zaka claims he ran to demonstrate how to run for election for his show Main Banoonga Minister; he stated that this was "the only entertaining way of telling our youth how to be a part of the system".[9] He ran on a platform of prioritizing and improving access to entertainment and the internet.[10][11]

In April 2019, Zaka announced a political movement in Pakistan called Tehreek-e-Tech.[12][2] In May 2019, he apologized to the people for destroying the young minds via his TV reality show Living on the Edge.[4][13]

Champions with Waqar Zaka

In November 2019, Zaka began hosting a TV reality show, Champions with Waqar Zaka, on BOL Network.[14] In January 2020, the show was banned by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)[14] for being "offensive towards social, religious and cultural values of this country".[15] In April 2020, the Islamabad High Court upheld the decision of PEMRA to ban the show.[16]

Following the suspension of Champions, Zaka began hosting a late night show on YouTube called Headphone Show.[17]

Awards

In 2017, Zaka received an award from Abdul Qadeer Khan for his social and humanitarian work in the war-torn areas of Syria and Myanmar.[18]

Controversies

In January 2017, a video went viral on social media websites where Zaka was severely assaulted by a group of people in Karachi.[19][20][21] Zaka later reconciled with his attacker.[22][23]

In November 2018, media reported that Zaka was arrested by police in Karachi for possessing alcohol,[24] however Zaka clarified that he was charged with possession of sheesha instead of alcohol.[25][26]

References
  1. "I am giving Pakistanis a platform to vent their frustrations: Waqar Zaka - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 14 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  2. "Attention seeking Waqar Zaka claims he wants to launch cyrptocurrency to help Pakistan pay off its debts". 11 April 2019. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  3. "Nahi Parha Main Ne Pura Saal | Old Song | Waqar Zaka. - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  4. ڈیسک, انٹرٹینمنٹ (28 May 2019). "وقار ذکا نوجوانوں کو بھٹکانے والا مواد تیار کرنے پر شرمندہ". Dawn News Television. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. "Chit chat Meet Waqar Zaka". DAWN.COM. 7 March 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  6. Hassan, Sameen (4 May 2015). "I am the reason why some people now rule the entertainment industry: Waqar Zaka". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  7. "Waqar Zaka says 'Line Pe Ajao' - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 12 February 2015. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  8. "Election Commission of Pakistan Notification" (PDF). Election Commission of Pakistan. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  9. Mahmood, Rafay (14 February 2013). "I am giving Pakistanis a platform to vent their frustrations: Waqar Zaka". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  10. "Waqar Zaka hopes to go from cobra to constituency - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 1 April 2013. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  11. Ishtiaque, Aqsa. "Main Banoonga Minister: Waqar Zaka strives to contest elections". Aaj News. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  12. "We may never see Waqar Zaka on TV again". Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  13. "Waqar Zaka seeks apology from nation for destroying young minds". Dunya News. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  14. "Waqar Zaka's show 'Champions' to remain suspended, IHC rules - Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  15. "Waqar Zaka's Show Champions Gets Banned By PEMRA". Lens. 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  16. ڈیسک, ویب (9 April 2020). "قابل اعتراض مواد نشر کرنے پر بول ٹی وی کے پروگرام چیمپیئنز پر پابندی برقرار". Dawn News Television. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  17. "Lewd headphone show designed to help audience, insists Waqar Zaka | SAMAA". Samaa TV. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  18. "Waqar Zaka receives award from Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan". The Nation. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  19. "TV anchor Waqar Zaka thrashed by unidentified man in Karachi - Entertainment - Dunya News". dunyanews.tv. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  20. "TV host Waqar Zaka assaulted". Samaa TV. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  21. "TV host Waqar Zaka assaulted in Karachi - Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  22. "Drop scene: Waqar Zaka comes to terms with attacker". Samaa TV. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  23. "Waqar Zaka takes a 'U-turn'". Daily Times. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  24. "Arrested for possession of sheesha not alcohol, Waqar Zaka clarifies". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  25. "Waqar Zaka arrested, denies possessing alcohol". The Express Tribune. 19 November 2018. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  26. "Waqar Zaka lashes out at media for reporting he was arrested for alcohol possession - Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
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