Amjad Hadi Yousafzai
PESHAWAR : Veteran artist, writer and filmmaker Arshad Hussain has been selected by the Government of Pakistan for the Pride of Performance Award 2026 in recognition of more than 35 years of dedicated contribution to art, culture and creative expression. The prestigious recognition marks a major milestone in Hussain’s long artistic career, which has covered theatre, television, film, literature and cultural development. Over the decades, he has worked in various capacities including acting, writing, screenwriting, creative direction and cultural initiatives, with his work consistently focusing on storytelling, cultural identity, social awareness and the role of art in public life. For Hussain, the honour represents not only recognition of his professional achievements but also a renewed responsibility to serve the cultural community. “After thirty-five years, this honour feels less like a destination and more like a responsibility,” he said. Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Hussain said, “I receive the Pride of Performance 2026 with gratitude, humility and a renewed sense of responsibility. I am deeply grateful to the Government of Pakistan for recognising my journey in Art & Culture. My work has never been only about performance. I have always believed that art can preserve memory, open conversations, connect people and give a voice to stories that deserve to be heard. This recognition carries my name, but the journey behind it has been shaped by countless people, audiences, collaborators and institutions. I carry their trust with me. For me, this is not the closing of a chapter. It is an invitation to create with greater purpose, to support emerging artists, to protect our cultural memory and to carry Pakistan’s stories forward with dignity.” Hussain began his professional artistic journey with Pakistan Television Peshawar Centre, which became an important platform in his early career. His work later expanded across several creative disciplines and cultural spaces, establishing him as a multifaceted contributor to Pakistan’s artistic landscape. His selection for the Pride of Performance comes after more than three decades of sustained engagement with the arts and reflects a career dedicated to creativity, cultural expression and public storytelling. The recognition is also significant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where artists and cultural practitioners have played a vital role in preserving and promoting the region’s rich cultural heritage. Hussain said the honour would strengthen his resolve to support emerging artists and contribute further to the preservation of Pakistan’s cultural memory. “The award carries my name. Its pride belongs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said. For Arshad Hussain, the Pride of Performance 2026 is not an ending but a new beginning, carrying a renewed commitment to art, culture, emerging talent and the stories of Pakistan.
