Pakistan’s theatre and comedy community is mourning the death of veteran stage actor, comedian, director and producer Asif Iqbal, widely known by his popular nickname “Pheena.” He died after suffering a heart attack, according to his family.
Asif Iqbal was rushed to hospital after the cardiac emergency, but doctors could not save him. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment and theatre community, with fellow artists, fans and showbiz figures expressing grief over the loss of a performer whose career spanned several decades.
For generations of theatre audiences, Asif Iqbal was more than a comedian. He became a familiar face of Punjabi stage comedy and built a distinctive identity around the character and nickname “Pheena.”
His performances were known for comic mischief, rapid-fire dialogue and lively interaction with fellow performers. His timing and ability to improvise helped establish him as a recognizable presence in Pakistan’s live theatre circuit.
Born in Gujranwala, Punjab, Asif came from a family in which his father worked as a railway station master. His father died in 1988, while his mother passed away in 2000. Before entering showbiz, Asif was associated with cricket and played for the WAPDA cricket team. His professional journey eventually led him into Lahore’s theatre scene.
In the 1980s, he joined Tamaseel Theatre in Lahore, initially working as a programme manager and assistant director. He later moved to Alflah Theatre, where he eventually stepped in front of audiences as a stage actor, making his acting debut around 1996.
Asif Iqbal went on to establish himself as an actor, director and producer, becoming part of the generation that helped shape Pakistan’s Punjabi stage-comedy tradition. He worked alongside prominent performers including Sohail Ahmed, Naseem Vicky, Tariq Teddy, Sardar Kamal and Iftikhar Thakur, among many others.
His stage performances, including appearances alongside Iftikhar Thakur, Afreen Khan and other popular artists, continue to circulate on YouTube. They have also allowed younger audiences to discover a performer whose reputation was built largely through live theatre rather than conventional celebrity media.
Although theatre remained at the centre of his career, Asif also expanded into television and film. He appeared in television programs including Syasi Theater on Express News in 2015, Hadd e Adab on 92 News in 2015, Oouch on Lahore News in 2017 and Tanzo Maza on Suno News in 2022.
He also became a familiar guest on comedy programs, including Mazaq Raat, where he appeared alongside television personalities and performers including host Imran Ashraf. Earlier, he had also appeared on programs such as FoolStop.
Asif Iqbal’s career also extended to the big screen. His film credits include Run Mureed (2013), No Tension (2013), Chal Mera Putt 2 (2020), Chal Mera Putt 3 (2021) and Drame Aale (2024).
Asif Iqbal is survived by his three sons, Hamza Asif, Yasir Asif and Abdullah Asif. While audiences knew him for his energetic stage persona and comic performances, he also remained a father and family man away from the spotlight.
His death marks the loss of another veteran figure from Pakistan’s Punjabi theatre tradition, leaving behind a body of work that continues to connect with audiences through stage performances, television appearances and films.
