Over the course of a few days a large quantity of very good-looking, sunglasses-wearing Pakistanis trickled steadily into Dubai.

These beautiful people were the Pakistani film and TV industry's superstars and Dubai was the chosen venue for the 3rd annual Hum TV Awards.

Held at the Dubai World Trade Center, the 3rd annual awards mark the first time HUM TV has held its ceremony outside Pakistan. With performances by Saba Qamar, Ahsan Khan, Syra and Shehroze Sabzwari, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mehwish Hayat and more, the event held the promise of being a real entertainer, which it fulfilled.

Sparklers at the beginning of the show. — Photo courtesy: Hamna Zubair

The event's organisers at HUM TV had to manage the task of getting a large number of Pakistani actors, directors, sponsors, media and support staff to Dubai, housing them, running rehearsals, and all the while ensuring that all was running smoothly as the event began. The massive event was styled by Nabila and her team at NPro.

Aisha Khan gets dolled up by NPro stylists. — Photo courtesy: Instagram

The show kicked off later than expected, around 10:30 pm and it went on till almost 3:00 am. It was well organised, with only a few moments where someone would walk on to the stage a bit late, or a microphone would stop working for a few seconds. Once the show began, it ran smoothly.

Overheard on the red carpet:

"Woh jo bhabi banti hai har drama mein, woh hee hai."

"Find Faysal Qureshi and get a pic!"

"Did you know we're going to be sitting so close to the stars?"

"Is Deepak Perwani an important person? Where should we seat him?" ponders an usher.

"Yeh celebrities hain? Lag toh nehi rehe."

Celebrity spotting:

Nabila looked chic in camel clothes.

Nabila smiles for the camera alongside Adnan Siddiqui and Wiqar Ali Khan. — Photo courtesy: Instagram

Cybil Chawdhry was spotted, rocking a pant suit and John Lennon inspired sunnies and picked up the Best Model award.

The German/Pakistani model went for a simple, sleek look. — Photo courtesy: Hamna Zubair

Mawra and Urwa Hocane made a late entrance.

From L-R: Urwa dons some Outhouse jewels while Mawra sizzles in Ali Xeeshan.

Umair Tabani in Dolce, saying Sania couldn't make it so he's representing.

Umair Tabani poses with Anoushay Ashraf. — Photo courtesy: Secret Closet Instagram

Bushra Ansari and Samina Peerzada were spotted in the front row.

The veteran actors looked elegant in their saris. — Photo courtesy: Hamna Zubair

A LOT of Dubai aunties crowded around Hassan Sheheryar Yasin for a picture.

HSY was a hit with the Dubai's Pakistani audience. — Photo courtesy: Hamna Zubair

Shehla Chatoor was a popular choice this year as Ayesha Omar, Sanam Saeed, Aisha Khan and Anoushay Ashraf were all clad in Chatoor ensembles.

From L-R: The ladies sizzle on the red carpet.

The red carpet was not as buzzing as it could have been. Superstars Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan showed up late so they didn't make the red carpet at all. A lot of big names did the same.

Mahira walked in 10 minutes into the show, wearing a bright green Feeha Jamshed ensemble.

Wiqar Ali Khan poses with Mahira. — Photo courtesy: Instagram

Memorable moments on stage

The show kicked off with hosts Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sanam Jung, who gets props for joking about how everything Hamza says makes news.

Winner of the Best Music Single category, Farhan Saeed for Roya dedicated his award to the Peshawar victims.

"Together we shall rise," he said in the poignant, heartfelt moment.

Saeed celebrates his win with close friend Urwa Hocane. — Photo courtesy: Twitter

Hamza adds: "In my personal opinion — this event is a big slap to all those people who wish to see extremism thrive in Pakistan."

Sajal Ali and Feroze Khan gave a thrilling performance on Saturday from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

The Chup Raho star gave an energetic performance. — Photo courtesy: Instagram

Second set of hosts, Vasay Chaudhry and Ahmed Ali Butt took over the stage for the second half. The real life friends had great chemistry and their commentary was one of the best parts of the evening.

The twosome made the audience laugh with their light-hearted approach. — Photo courtesy: HUM

Vasay and Butt sang a song about the awards. A funny moment was when the duo sang to Sultana Siddiqi: "Jeetay ga wohi jo bethay ga apa key kareeb."

The song's chorus was a pun on HUM TV, "Hum jaisa kohi nahi."

Our very own heartthrob Fawad Khan was presented with the International Icon award. Khan was gracious as always when accepting the award, stating: "I don't feel like I deserve to get this award so early on in my career, when there is so much more to learn."

He added that he has been given immense respect, more so than he has perhaps earned.

Hamza Ali Abbasi on stage with Fawad Khan. — Photo courtesy: Twitter

Anwar Maqsood told a hilarious story on stage about how, after working on a project with Atiqa [Odho], he had gone to Umrah. As he was doing the tawaf, he started crying and as he cried, a man tapped his shoulder and said, "Aap Anwar Maqsood hain?" He replied with a yes, after which the man said: "Aap ke pass Atiqa ka mobile number hai...?"

The entertainer provided some comic relief while accepting his award. — Photo courtesy: HUM

The trailer for Bin Roye was also released at the award ceremony.

Read: Mahira Khan's Bin Roye trailer intrigues, leaves us wanting more

At one point during the event, Ahmed Ali Butt walked around the audience, wearing feathered wings, pretending to be a fashion personality and calling everyone darling, asking HSY to give him a kiss, asking Javed Sheikh "Kitni ke hain?"

Ahmed Ali Butt, pictured with Javed Sheikh. — Photo courtesy: Hamna Zubair

Adnan Malik joked about his onscreen chemistry with co-star Mahira Khan and recalled a story of how Mahira once confessed to him that if she wasn't acting, she would have pursued study in chemistry because that was her favourite subject.

The Sadqay Tumharay co-stars pose for a selfie. — Photo courtesy: Instagram

Mahira was shocked to win her award for Best Actor Female as she said on stage: "Every award this year is Saba Qamar's."