Famous Pashto comedian Mirawas passes away

CHARSADDA: Famous Pashto comedian Hayatullah Khan, popularly known as Mirawas, passed away on Thursday at the age of 70.He had been suffering from diabetes and kidney disease for a long time and was under treatment at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar.

Born in 1955 in the Tangi area, Mirawas was regarded as the king of Pashto comedy, not just in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also abroad.He revolutionised Pashto humour, satire, and parody songs, leaving an everlasting mark on the Pashto entertainment industry. His witty storytelling and unique comic style made him a household name.

Mirawas began his comedic career during his student life and served the industry for 52 years. He performed on Pakistan Television (PTV), stage shows, and private gatherings, entertaining audiences in Pakistan and abroad.

He was known for his spontaneous humour, creating and delivering thousands of jokes without a script. His jokes have been preserved in over 6,000 audio cassettes. His talent extended to parody singing, where he would not only sing in his own voice but also act simultaneously.

In 1980, he made his PTV debut with the programme “Gup Da Mirawas”, where he portrayed the role of an intoxicated man. He went on to perform in hundreds of television programmes. Also, he authored a book titled “Gup Da Mirawas”, which is a compilation of his jokes, humorous poetry and parody songs.

His funeral prayer would be offered at 10am today in his hometown Tangi.Meanwhile, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao expressed deep grief over the passing of renowned Pashto standup comedian Hayatullah Khan aka Mirawas Ustad.

In a statement issued from the QWP secretariat, Watan Kor, he paid tribute to the deceased, acknowledging his contribution to Pashto stage dramas, television, and radio.Aftab Sherpao noted that his unique style of performance had won the hearts of audiences and that he used his art to highlight societal flaws and promote positive change within the Pakhtun community.

“The void left by his departure will be difficult to fill,” he, adding that his passing was a great loss to the world of satire and comedy.The QWP leader extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and said that the entire Pashtun community mourned the loss of a legendary artiste. “Mirawas, who brought smiles to countless faces, will always be remembered for his contributions to Pashto comedy and entertainment industry,” he remarked.

The QWP leader prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and to give patience to his family to cope with this loss.Zahid Chanzeb expressed grief over the death of famous Pashto comedian Mirawas, who passed away after a prolonged illness.He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and said that the void left by Mirawas can never be filled, as he brought smiles to countless faces with his performances.