Aftab Iqbal (born 19 September 1958) is a Pakistani television host, journalist and businessman who founded an international Pakistani news channel, Aap Media Group. He is a former host of TV programs Hasb-e-Haal on Dunya News (2009–2010), Khabarnaak on Geo News (2010–2015), Khabardaar on Express News (2015–2018), Himaqatain (2018–2019) on 92 News, Khabarzar on Aap News (2019–2020), Khabaryar on Neo News (2020–2021), Khabardaar Season 2 on Express News (2021–2022) and Khabarhar on Samaa TV News (2022–2023). Since 2024, He is doing Khabarhar Season 2 on Web Digital Platforms.
His presence on digital media is through his YouTube channel Aftab Iqbal started on 7 January 2017. In October 2018, he launched his TV Channel Aap News, where he fulfilled administrative affairs. In January 2020, he left the channel and joined Neo News. He left Neo News in January 2021 and returned to Express News and hosted the show Khabardar on Express News, which he in turn left to start Khabarhaar on Samaa TV in 2022. In 2024, after a one-year break, he revived Khabarhar as "Khabarhar Season 2" which quickly grabbed the attention of the viewers. He digitally connected with his team in Lahore studio to record the show while himself, co-host Dr. Arooba, Researcher Shakeel Chaudhary and other members of his team remained in the UAE. He also introduced digital shows Open Mic Cafe, Amaniyat, Dialogue With History and Chacha Boota on his YouTube channel Aftab Iqbal.
Early life and education Aftab Iqbal was born on 9 September 1958 in a prominent Punjabi Mian Arain family of 49/3.r Okara.
He is the son of Urdu poet and newspaper columnist Zafar Iqbal.Zafar Iqbal speaks out on Poetry Dawn (newspaper), Published 2 April 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2022
He received his master's degree from Government College University (Lahore) in 1985 and also got a diploma in History of Mass Communications from San Jose State University in California in 1986.
Career He worked as a reporter from 1986 to 1987 and held some positions in the private sector companies of Pakistan. Then he briefly worked as a 'Media Advisor' to Chief Minister of Punjab (Pakistan) from 1994 to 1995. He wrote a column titled "Aaftabian" in Nawa-i-Waqt newspaper from 1995 to 2010.
Many people in Pakistan give him credit for playing a key role in boosting the viewership and TV ratings at three Pakistani TV channels.
He also wrote the program's script and as a host of the show, tried to keep it focused more on the political comedy and satire rather than letting it wander aimlessly. The crew and cast of Khabarnaak used to do parodies or mimicries of Pakistan's known politicians like Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, Rehman Malik, Shahbaz Sharif, famous writer Anwar Maqsood, Pakistani TV personality Tariq Aziz and pop music artist Ali Azmat among many others. Aftab Iqbal used to include a short educational segment in this program, called Zabaan-o-Bayaan in which he used to point out language pronunciation errors made by the common public.
Filmography Reality shows Year Show Role Notes 2008–2010 Hasb-e-HaalAfter Iqbal's pontification Pakistan Today (newspaper), Published 7 May 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2022 Host/presenter 2010–2015 Khabarnaak Host/presenter 2015–2018 Khabardaar Host/presenter 2018–2020 Khabarzar Host/presenter 2020–2021 Khabaryar Host/presenter 2021–2022 Khabardaar Host/presenter 2022–2023 Khabarhar Host/presenter 2024-present Khabarhar Host/presenter
Web shows Year Show Role Notes 2021–present Mailbox with Aftab Iqbal Permanent guest 2020–present Open Mic Cafe Permanent guest 2021–2022 Saray Rung Punjab Day Permanent guest
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