The actor-turned-musician sparks a national debate after claiming Pakistan surpasses India in infrastructure, hygiene, and civic development on ARY Digital’s podcast.
Haroon Shahid has never been one to hold back, and his latest appearance on ARY Digital‘s podcast hosted by Ayaz Samoo proved exactly that. The actor, currently riding high on fan praise for his role as Rafay in the drama Milkiyat, made headlines after a bold comparison between Pakistan and India that quickly set social media ablaze. Sitting across from Samoo, Shahid dismantled long-standing stereotypes about Pakistan’s development with a confidence that resonated with millions of viewers tuning in across the country.
The conversation took a sharp turn when the topic shifted to how Pakistan is perceived internationally. Shahid did not mince words. “They think we are beggars, that we don’t even have wheat, crops, resources, or anything. They need to visit Pakistan. We have everything. We are not what you are seeing through your media,” he said, his tone equal parts frustration and pride. He went further, asserting that infrastructure, development, poverty levels, hygiene, and civic sense all favour Pakistan when compared to its neighbour. “Pakistan is much more developed than India. It is something evident to the international media. These developments are now seen in the bigger picture,” Shahid argued, challenging the narrative that India dominates South Asia across every metric that matters.
Ayaz Samoo, himself no stranger to candid commentary, backed Shahid’s claims by pointing out that Indian media has systematically portrayed Pakistan in a negative light. Samoo noted a telling irony: Indians who watch Pakistani dramas frequently remark that Pakistan appears far better than the image India’s own media projects. The exchange struck a chord because it touched on something many Pakistanis feel but rarely hear articulated on a mainstream platform — that the country’s progress, from its expanding motorway network to its growing urban centres, often goes unacknowledged in global discourse.
Before becoming one of Pakistan’s most recognisable television faces, Haroon Shahid first made his mark as a musician. His transition to acting came with the 2017 film Verna opposite Mahira Khan, a project that introduced him to a massive audience and proved he could hold his own on the big screen. What followed was a string of television hits — Khaas, Tinkay Ka Sahara, Nikah, Qayamat, Be Rung, Do Bol, and Jaan Nisar among them — each role adding depth to his reputation as a versatile and committed performer. His current portrayal of Rafay in Milkiyat has only deepened that connection with viewers, making his podcast appearance all the more impactful given his growing fanbase.
Shahid’s remarks arrive at a moment when national pride and identity dominate conversations across Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Actors, cricketers, and content creators increasingly use their platforms to push back against what they see as distorted portrayals of the country. Whether his comparison with India holds up under scrutiny is debatable, but the fact that it sparked such a passionate response tells its own story. As Pakistan’s entertainment landscape continues to grow in confidence and reach, voices like Shahid’s will keep shaping the narrative — and the world will be listening. Will this podcast moment become a turning point in how Pakistani celebrities frame the country’s story on international platforms? Only time will tell.
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