Mohsin Abbas Haider Calls Out Drug Use on Pakistani Drama Sets

The actor-singer revealed he confronted a production house after a co-star arrived on set visibly intoxicated, sparking industry-wide debate.

During a candid appearance on Vasay Chaudhry‘s popular talk show Gup Shab, actor and singer Mohsin Abbas Haider pulled back the curtain on a deeply troubling practice within Pakistan’s television industry — actors and actresses allegedly showing up to sets under the influence of drugs. The revelation, which first surfaced when Mohsin posted a fiery social media status in January 2025, sent shockwaves through the entertainment fraternity and forced at least one production house to take immediate action.

Mohsin Abbas Haider has built a reputation as one of Pakistan’s most versatile entertainers. From his breakout role in Meri Guriya to acclaimed performances in Muqabil, Lashkara, Dil Tanha Tanha, Siyani, Mohabbat Chordi Maine, Sirf Tum, and Tauba, he has consistently chosen projects that challenge him as an artist. His soulful single Uddi Ja became an anthem of its own, cementing his status as a performer who refuses to be boxed into a single genre. Currently, he is riding high on the success of two concurrent hit projects — Musafat on Hum TV and Milkiyat on Geo TV — both earning him widespread critical and audience praise. Known for his outspoken nature and commitment to professionalism, Mohsin has never shied away from calling out what he sees as systemic problems in the industry.

On Gup Shab, Mohsin recounted the exact sequence of events that led to his now-viral social media post. “I had posted a status on social media saying actors, actresses, and directors who come to sets intoxicated should be banned,” he told Vasay Chaudhry. “Because I only do one project at a time, I instantly received a call from the production house asking, ‘Mohsin, you are on our set right now, aren’t you? So what was the status about?'” Mohsin did not mince words in his response. “I said, ‘Yes. And the status is about the same set.'” When the production team pressed him further — “Are you talking about that particular actor?” — Mohsin confirmed without hesitation. “They replied, ‘Okay, we will look into the matter.'” He then described the on-set experience that had driven him to speak out: “Just imagine, the heroine’s eyes weren’t even locking with mine. I was talking to her, and her eyes were wandering in another direction.” When Vasay Chaudhry asked whether the production house followed through, Mohsin replied firmly, “Yes, absolutely.” He concluded with a broader moral stance: “We shouldn’t promote anything that can cause deterioration in society.”

The timeline of Mohsin’s January 2025 social media post points strongly to the drama series Tauba, which was airing on Geo TV at the time and featured a star-studded cast including Momina Iqbal, Ali Zaid, Mikaal Zulfiqar, and several other prominent names alongside Mohsin. While he stopped short of naming the individual involved on the show, the specificity of his account — the wandering eyes, the production house’s immediate phone call, and their promise to investigate — left little doubt that the incident was real and recent. The revelation has reignited a long-simmering conversation about substance abuse in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, a topic that many insiders acknowledge privately but few dare to address publicly. Mohsin’s willingness to put his reputation on the line, even at the risk of professional backlash, has earned him both admiration and scrutiny from fans and colleagues alike.