Ayesha Khan, a beloved figure of Pakistan’s television golden era, graced screens with her compelling performances and expressive artistry. Born on 22 November 1948 in Karachi, she began her career at Radio Pakistan before transitioning to the small screen with the launch of PTV. Her talent flourished in iconic dramas like Afshan, Aanch, Family 93, and Mehndi, where she became known for portraying strong, nuanced female characters. With a career spanning decades, she worked alongside some of the industry’s finest, including Talat Hussain and Qazi Wajid.
Ayesha Khan brought warmth and depth to every role, earning admiration from audiences and peers alike. Off-screen, she maintained a private life, raising two children, one of whom Aliya Bibi became a noted model in the 1990s. In her later years, Ayesha continued to act but gradually stepped back due to health concerns. Her passing in June 2025 at the age of 76 marked the end of a luminous chapter in Pakistani drama. She remains a symbol of grace and talent whose legacy lives on in the timeless stories she helped bring to life.
Early Life and Education
Ayesha Khan was born on 22 November 1948 in Karachi, Pakistan, into a family that would become closely tied to the arts. Her early years were shaped by the bustling cultural environment of Karachi in the 1950s and 60s, where radio, stage, and soon television were gaining prominence in Pakistani society. Ayesha was the eldest sibling in her family and grew up alongside her sister, Khalida Riyasat, who would also become a well-known actress in later years. Their shared interest in the performing arts created a lifelong bond between the two.
From a young age, Ayesha displayed a natural flair for expression and storytelling. Encouraged by her family, she participated in school plays and poetry recitations, earning recognition for her articulate voice and compelling stage presence. These early experiences sowed the seeds for what would become a lifelong dedication to acting.
She pursued her higher education at the University of Karachi, where she completed a degree in the arts. Her time at university not only deepened her appreciation for literature and drama but also exposed her to new ideas and artistic movements taking root in South Asia. It was during this period that she began engaging more seriously with radio and stage performances, laying the foundation for her future in television.
Ayesha Khan’s formal entry into the media world came through Radio Pakistan, where her distinctive voice and emotional range quickly won her roles in radio dramas. Her academic background and early exposure to performance helped her develop a grounded, thoughtful approach to character development, an approach that later became her hallmark as a PTV actress.
Even before she appeared on screen, Ayesha was gaining a reputation for her professionalism, intellect, and creativity. Her education played a vital role in shaping the kind of actress she became: emotionally resonant, deeply committed, and unafraid to take on complex roles that reflected the evolving social fabric of Pakistan.
Personal Life
Ayesha Khan led a life marked by quiet dignity and devotion, both to her craft and her family. While she was a celebrated figure on screen, she kept her personal affairs largely private. She was married and raised two children, nurturing a home that valued education, creativity, and integrity. Her daughter, Aliya Bibi, gained recognition as a fashion model in the 1990s, following in her mother’s footsteps with poise and presence in a different sphere of the arts.
Despite her demanding schedule in television, Ayesha maintained a strong connection with her family and often spoke about the importance of balancing fame with familial responsibilities. She was known among colleagues for her grounded nature, warmth, and generosity off-screen, offering mentorship to younger actors while remaining devoted to those closest to her. In her later years, Ayesha retreated from the public eye, choosing a life of introspection and rest as her health began to decline. Her personal life, though shielded from the limelight, reflected the same grace and authenticity that endeared her to audiences throughout her remarkable career.
Career
Ayesha Khan’s career is a cornerstone of Pakistani television history. Spanning several decades, her body of work helped shape the narrative and emotional tone of countless iconic dramas. Her journey from radio to television to theater marked her as a versatile performer whose dedication to her craft remained unwavering.
She began her media career at Radio Pakistan in the 1960s. Her expressive voice and ability to convey complex emotions through audio alone made her a favorite in radio plays a crucial storytelling medium at the time. This early experience honed her timing, diction, and emotional range, laying a strong foundation for her later success on screen.
With the rise of PTV in the late 1960s and early 70s, Ayesha transitioned to television—a move that aligned perfectly with the cultural renaissance sweeping through Pakistan. Her first on-screen appearances quickly captured attention, and she soon became one of the most recognizable faces on national television. Ayesha’s ability to portray a wide array of characters from the warm, nurturing mother to the defiant young woman, gave her a unique place in the hearts of viewers.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she starred in a string of acclaimed television serials that are still remembered fondly today. These included Afshan, Aanch, Family 93, and Mehndi. In Afshan, she delivered a sensitive performance that balanced strength and vulnerability, while Aanch showcased her range in a more emotionally complex and intense role. Her presence in Family 93, a family drama with light comic elements, highlighted her ability to deliver humor with grace and timing. Meanwhile, Mehndi, which dealt with themes of marriage and generational tensions, solidified her status as a maternal icon in Pakistani homes.
She often worked with a recurring set of renowned actors, including Qazi Wajid, Talat Hussain, and Saba Hameed, forming memorable on-screen partnerships that brought depth and continuity to PTV’s storytelling traditions. Her collaborations with skilled directors and scriptwriters of the time, like Fatima Surayya Bajia and Haseena Moin, also contributed to her success, allowing her to portray richly layered characters in socially relevant narratives.
Unlike many of her contemporaries, Ayesha didn’t confine herself to one genre or character type. She moved comfortably between romantic dramas, social commentaries, and light-hearted family tales. Her expressive eyes and subtle gestures became her trademarks, often conveying more than words could. She was praised for the integrity she brought to her roles—never overacting, never stealing scenes, but always elevating the material she was given.
In addition to television, Ayesha had a presence in theater and live stage performances, often participating in literary and cultural festivals. Though not as prolific on stage as she was on TV, her contributions to live performance added further depth to her artistic persona.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, while many from her era stepped back, Ayesha continued working in select projects that matched her values and artistic vision. She appeared in serials like Naqab Zan and Bisaat e Dil, portraying wise, empathetic matriarchs with quiet strength. Her roles evolved with age but never lost their emotional gravity.
Her career was also marked by an ethic of mentorship. She guided younger actresses, both informally and on set, offering support and encouragement. Many have credited her for helping maintain a sense of discipline and respect within the television industry during a time of great change.
As she moved into her later years, Ayesha gradually retreated from the limelight. Health concerns made it harder for her to commit to lengthy shooting schedules, but she never officially announced her retirement. For her, acting was not just a profession—it was a calling.
By the time of her passing in 2025, Ayesha Khan had built a legacy characterized by depth, consistency, and cultural impact. Her performances continue to resonate, not only because of their technical brilliance but because they reflected a genuine human warmth. She remains a defining figure of the golden age of PTV, and her influence is still felt in the performances of those who followed in her footsteps.
Latest News
Veteran Pakistani actress Ayesha Khan was tragically found dead in her Karachi apartment on June 19, 2025, at the age of 76. Authorities believe she passed away around a week earlier, with her body discovered in an advanced state of decomposition after neighbors reported a foul odor.
She had been living alone in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area and was reportedly battling health issues. Initial police assessments suggest natural causes, possibly due to a fall, though a postmortem is pending the arrival of her son from abroad.
Ayesha Khan was a celebrated figure in Pakistani television, known for her roles in classics like Afshan, Aroosa, Shaam Se Pehle, and Family 93. Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow artists, with many remembering her as a graceful and deeply respected presence in the industry.