#MeetZaid: Pakistani-Canadian comedian sweeps Lahoris off their feet

Published March 31, 2015
Zaid Ali in his element, acting as a desi mother.
Zaid Ali in his element, acting as a desi mother.

There's hardly a Facebook user in Pakistan who doesn't know who Pakistani-Canadian comedian Zaid Ali is.

And his visit to Lahore proved this, as fans thronged the hotel where he was staying, where he met them for the first time.

With his signature Punjabi accented Urdu one-liners ending in 'kaaaaaar lo' and 'maaaaaar lo' Zaid has become quite a star in South-Asian circles with his lighthearted take on issues experienced by 'desis' in their daily lives.

Zaid Ali stands in from of Minaar-e-Pakistan.— Photo courtesy: Zaid Ali's Facebook page
Zaid Ali stands in from of Minaar-e-Pakistan.— Photo courtesy: Zaid Ali's Facebook page

Born to Pakistani parents and raised in Canada, it isn't the first time Zaid has visited his home country and he was indeed mesmerised by the beautiful buildings and enjoyed the traditional zinda dili of Lahorites as he savoured the food at local eateries.

Zaid Ali dons sherwani.— Photo courtesy: Zaid Ali's Facebook page
Zaid Ali dons sherwani.— Photo courtesy: Zaid Ali's Facebook page

Both guys and girls were there to cheer the comedian at an event held to introduce him to his fans.

Zaid strikes a chord with young people, poking fun at society with jokes on issues ranging from desi shaadis to differential treatment of girls and boys in desi families as well as typical South Asian parents' mentality of pressuring kids to excel at school. There were many who made sure that they clicked a selfie before Zaid would leave the event.

Speaking about the response he has received in Lahore, Zaid said:

"I have received the best response from Lahore and the people here are extremely loving, supporting and caring. I would like to thank all those who came here to support me."

There was even some fan-girling at the event as one girl who came especially from Islamabad and got her flight to UK delayed by two weeks so she could meet him:

"I have come from Islamabad just to meet Zaid," she said.

Another fan shared that his videos were the reason she liked him, "The things shown in his videos happen all the time in my own home like that exam video — they are all so relatable hence I really like him."

One fan took pride that Zaid was a Pakistani who was known internationally because of his skills:

"Firstly he is a Pakistani, and we have very few such Pakistani entertainers who'd represent us globally."

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...