Veteran actor Mahmood Aslam recently celebrated his upcoming Pride of Performance honour at a gathering hosted by fellow actor Asif Raza Mir. Colleagues including Zara Noor Abbas and Usama Khan were among those in attendance.

The actor, best known as Mehmood Sahab from Bulbulay, was recognised by the government for his contribution to television, theatre and film. The annual civil awards list, announced ahead of Pakistan Day celebrations on March 23 next year, includes more than 372 recipients. Of these, 54 awards have been given in the field of arts, while 29 recognise contributions to literature.

In a video from the event, Aslam thanked Mir for hosting the gathering. “I want to thank Asif for thinking of this and putting it together, and Usama for standing by the idea and making it happen,” he said.

The actor also extended his gratitude to those present at the celebration, including Zara and other friends.

At the gathering, attendees embraced and congratulated Aslam on the career milestone. The evening was one of several such tributes for actors receiving awards from the government — actor Zahid Ahmed also recently marked his own Pride of Performance recognition with a dinner honouring the mentors who shaped his career.

Beyond his comedic turn in Bulbulay, Aslam left a mark in dramas including Andhera Ujala, Din, Boota from Toba Tek Singh, and Landa Bazar. More recently, his Instagram reels and short-form content on social media have found a new audience among Gen-Z viewers, who have taken to his comic videos.