Burka Avenger brings home Asian Media Award for 'Best TV Show'

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

Pakistan's first animated series, Burka Avenger bagged the award for the Best TV Show at the second Asian Media Awards on Tuesday night.

The star studded event took place at Hilton Deansgate, Manchester and was hosted by ITV Central's Sameena Ali Khan and BBC's Football League Show presenter, Manish Bhasin.

The Asian Media Awards highlight the achievements of Asians in the media and is dedicated to rewarding their talent, drive and potential.

Burka Avenger was nominated along with Brits Bollywood (Zing TV) and Broken Silence (Brit Asia TV), for the prestigious award.

Burka Avenger has already received a plethora of awards – including a Peabody Award and an International Emmy nomination – and has also garnered a great deal of international attention.

Read through: Burka Avenger wins Peabody award

Directed by Aaron Haroon Rashid and produced by Unicorn Black Studios, the 13 episode series aired on Geo Tez of Geo Network TV in 2013.

Burka Avenger’s story revolves around an animated superheroine, Jiya who wears a burqa as a disguise to conceal her identity while fighting villains for justice, peace and education for all.

The series stars the talented Ainy Jaffri and Hamza Ali Abbasi as the voice of Burka Avenger and Baba Bandook respectively, and features songs from some of the biggest musical acts from across South Asia, including Ali Zafar, Haroon, Ali Azmat and Josh among many others.

Some of the other awards given out at the Asian Media Award include Star Plus for 'Best TV Channel' and Channel 4's report Why Muslim Women Choose to Wear the Veil for 'Best TV Report of the Year'.

UK's Shekar Bhatia won 'Journalist of the Year' award and the upcoming youth of the media fraternity was also encouraged with Layla Haidrani coming out on top in the 'Outstanding Young Journalist' category.

Renowned British-Indian director Waris Hussein was also honoured at the ceremony and presented with the 'Oustanding Contribution to Media' award.

Other awards include:

Nirbhaya (Ensemble) for 'Best Live Event'
Look! A Singh! for 'Best Blog and Commentary'
BizAsiaLive.com for 'Best Website'
Farzana Baduel for 'Media Professional of the Year'

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Info minister invites opposition for Charter of Economy, defends proposed FY27 budget

Bilawal calls for end to AJK protests as unrest 'damaging' Pakistan's reputation amid global spotlight

Budget 2026-27: Govt slammed over provincial freeze as NA debate opens

Babar

Oct 29, 2014 03:20pm

why dawn news is trying to revive geo news group

Recommend 0

Goga Nalaik

Oct 29, 2014 04:22pm

Good news!

Recommend 0

Mahut

Oct 29, 2014 04:25pm

Well if Pakistani's had to make a super hero, I can't understand why would they clad her in a burqa. Are you trying to make the burqa more friendly for the public

Recommend 0

Saad

Oct 29, 2014 05:39pm

Yay! Congrats guys

Recommend 0

Jani

Oct 29, 2014 06:18pm

Good News!

Recommend 0

Oct 29, 2014 06:28pm

@Mahut - You should read it carefully before making a stereotype comment: "Burka Avenger’s story revolves around an animated superheroine, Jiya who wears a burqa as a disguise to conceal her identity while fighting villains for justice, peace and education for all." If it didn't say the word "Burqa", I am almost positive you would have thought it was a lose Ninja dress.

Recommend 0

kash

Oct 29, 2014 08:48pm

I gather they have sold rights for this to made into a bollywood film

Recommend 0

Dr.Salim Haidrani

Oct 29, 2014 10:05pm

My daughter Layla Haidrani won the young journalist award of the Asian Media Awards 2014. SalmaHaidrani also won the award last year in 2013 - both twin sisters write about gender issues, discrimination, peace and war, and human rights issues in the UK newspapers and magazines. I attended the Asian Media Awards ceremony yesterday in Manchester and it was pleasantly organised event by the Asian writers, intellectuals, artists and musicians. Indian, Pakistanis and other South Asian communities were dominant in the show and it was a purposeful event to celebrate the successes of the New Young Asians whose parents left the Subcontinent and settled in Britain.

Recommend 0

BRR

Oct 30, 2014 06:35am

Such is the quality of arts? Such is the narrative of liberals in Pakistan, where caricatures are all they can muster? where society has no room for any liberal thoughts other than some superhero of dubious variety? This is the best that creative minds can do? Sad.

Recommend 0

Czar

Oct 30, 2014 08:04am

Indeed an amazing work. Kudos Mr.Haroon!

Recommend 0

Burka Avenger

Oct 30, 2014 10:20am

@Mahut Why Krrish had to wear a Burka type thing to be a super hero?

Recommend 0

Raqim Haque

Oct 30, 2014 12:49pm

Hilarious they all jump for international recognition, and which is given away for anyone who disgraces Islam, Pakistani society or it's postures. Such was the case in 'Saving Face' by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and the blockbuster 'Malala', all condemning themselves, their country and cultural values. There is no disagreeing that evils exist in this society, but our saviors are those western societies that have made women sex icons and deceived them the most in the name of rights and so-called equality?? I don't think so!

Recommend 0

Mahut

Oct 30, 2014 02:30pm

@Burka Avenger My question is why a burka? You can be a super hero in your underwear too, but why the burka? Its a religious symbol for a community, why make fun out of it. All the more, you could have clad her with the burka but called it something else, Bukra is not for the purpose of avenging or what ever.

Recommend 0

Mahut

Oct 30, 2014 02:31pm

@Raqim Haque Couldn't agree more with you

Recommend 0

Mahut

Oct 30, 2014 02:38pm

@AH Her attire should have been unique though. Like every other women in Pakistan would be wearing a burka, how will she be a different in them?

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.