Mustansar Hussain Tarar

Mustansar Hussain Tarar (; ) S.I. (born 1 March 1939) is a Pakistani author, travel enthusiast, mountaineer, writer, novelist, columnist, TV host and former actor.

Early life

Mustansar Hussain Tarar was born in Jokalian on 1 March 1939 into a Tarar Jat family. His father, Rehmat Khan Tarar, operated an agricultural seed store by the name of "Kisan & Company" that flourished and became a major business in that field.

Tarar was educated at Rang Mahal Mission High School and Muslim Model High School, both in Lahore, Pakistan. He pursued higher studies at Government College, Lahore and in London. While abroad, he spent much of his time watching movies, hanging out with friends and reading books. In 1958, he attended the World Youth Festival in Moscow and wrote a book named Fakhta (Urdu. "Dove") based on his experience.

Career

He has written more than 75 books, including novels and travelogues, not mentioning his collection of short stories. His first book was a travelogue of Europe published in 1971 by the title of Niklay Teri Talaash Main (1970), dedicated to his youngest brother, Mobashir Hussain Tarar. This followed a period during which he travelled in seventeen European countries, and spearheaded a new trend of travelogues in Urdu literature. So far he has over forty travelogues ('Safar Nama' in Urdu) to his credit.

He also became a television actor and was, for many years, a host of Pakistan Television Corporation's (PTV) live morning show Subah Bakhair (1988) (Good Morning). His unconventional and down-to-earth style of hosting earned him great popularity among people from all circles of life. He is one of the most recognised personality among Pakistani children as he spent a big part of transmission time addressing children exclusively. He called himself chacha jee (paternal uncle) of all Pakistani children and soon became known by this title.

Shadi Online was a matrimonial show conceived by a private TV channel (Geo TV). It ran for more than 350 episodes and later was turned into an online matrimonial website. Tarar was selected as the host due to the trust of people, especially parents, had in him.

Tarar has been an active mountaineer for many years and has been to the base camp of the K2, the world's second highest mountain, and the Chitti Buoi Glacier.

Columns as a journalist and books

During his long career, he has been a newspaper columnist and a contributor to Pakistani newspapers including Dawn and Daily Aaj, and used to write a weekly column for Akhbar-e-Jahan.

His books include:

Mantiqul Tair, Jadeed (ÃÂÃÂÃÂ·ÃÂ ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ·ÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂ ÃÂ¬ÃÂ¯ÃÂÃÂ¯) (Conference of Birds, Modern) (, Publisher: SMP, Language: Urdu, Category: Novel Year: 2018)
Andulus Mayn Ajnabi (ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ¯ÃÂÃÂ³ ÃÂÃÂÃÂº ÃÂ§ÃÂ¬ÃÂÃÂ¨ÃÂ) (Stranger in Spain) (ISBN No:9693515471, Publisher:SMP, Language:URDU, Category: SAFAR NAMA Year: 2009) First published in 1972
Bahhao (ÃÂ¨ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ¤) (Flow)
Bay Izti Kharab (ÃÂ¨ÃÂ ÃÂ¹ÃÂ²ÃÂªÃÂ ÃÂ®ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ¨) (Insulting dishonor) Ã¢ÂÂ This phrase is deliberately wrong and commonly used this way in local communities, thus the book name
Berfeeli Bulandiyan (ÃÂ¨ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ ÃÂ¨ÃÂÃÂÃÂ¯ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂº) (Snowy Heights)
Carvan Sarai (ÃÂ©ÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂº ÃÂ³ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ¦ÃÂ) (Caravan Motel)
Chikh Chuk (ÃÂÃÂÃÂ© ÃÂÃÂÃÂ©) (Remove the curtain)
Chitral Daastan (ÃÂÃÂªÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ ÃÂ¯ÃÂ§ÃÂ³ÃÂªÃÂ§ÃÂ) (Tale of Chitral)
Dais Huwaa Perdais (ÃÂ¯ÃÂÃÂ³ ÃÂÃÂÃÂ§ ÃÂ¾ÃÂ±ÃÂ¯ÃÂÃÂ³) (Homeland becomes foreign land)
Deosai (ÃÂ¯ÃÂÃÂÃÂ³ÃÂ§ÃÂ¦ÃÂ)- First published in 2003
Dakia aur Jolaha (ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ©ÃÂÃÂ§ ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ± ÃÂ¬ÃÂÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ¾ÃÂ§) (Postman and cloth-maker)
Gadhay Hamaray Bhai Hain (ÃÂ¯ÃÂ¯ÃÂ¾ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂ ÃÂ¨ÃÂ¾ÃÂ§ÃÂ¦ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂÃÂº) (Donkeys are our brothers)
Ghar-e-Hira Mein Ek Raat (ÃÂºÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ¡ ÃÂÃÂÃÂº ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ© ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂª) (A night in the cave 'Hira' near Mecca)
Guzara Naheen Hota (ÃÂ¯ÃÂ²ÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂº ÃÂÃÂÃÂªÃÂ§) (Hard to get by)
Gypsy (ÃÂ¬ÃÂÃÂ¾ÃÂ³ÃÂ)
Hazaron Hain Shikway (ÃÂÃÂ²ÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂº ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂº ÃÂ´ÃÂ©ÃÂÃÂ) (Have thousands of complaints)
Hazaron Raastay (ÃÂÃÂ²ÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂº ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ³ÃÂªÃÂ) (Thousands of paths)
Hunza Dastaan (ÃÂÃÂÃÂ²ÃÂ ÃÂ¯ÃÂ§ÃÂ³ÃÂªÃÂ§ÃÂ) (Tale of Hunza)
K-2 Ki Kahani (ÃÂ©ÃÂ ÃÂ¹ÃÂ ÃÂ©ÃÂ ÃÂ©ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ) (K2 Story)- First published in 1993
Kaalaash (ÃÂ©ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ´) (Kafiristan)
Khana Badosh (ÃÂ®ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ ÃÂ¨ÃÂ¯ÃÂÃÂ´) (Gypsi)- First published in 1983
Moorat (ÃÂÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂª) (Idol)
Moscow Ki Sufaid Raatein.(ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ³ÃÂ©ÃÂ ÃÂ©ÃÂ ÃÂ³ÃÂÃÂÃÂ¯ ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂªÃÂÃÂº) ( White Nights of Moscow)
Munh Wal Kabbey Shariff Dey (ÃÂÃÂÃÂ ÃÂÃÂ ÃÂ©ÃÂ¹ÃÂ¨ÃÂ ÃÂ´ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ ÃÂ¯ÃÂ) (Face towards Qibla) [Experience of performing HAJJ]- First published in 2006
Nanga Parbat (ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ¯ÃÂ§ÃÂ¾ÃÂ±ÃÂ¨ÃÂª) (book named after the mountain of the same name)
Nepal Nagri (ÃÂÃÂÃÂ¾ÃÂ§ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂ¯ÃÂ±ÃÂ) (Land of Nepal)- First published in 1999
Niklay Teri Talash Main (ÃÂÃÂ©ÃÂÃÂ ÃÂªÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂ ÃÂªÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ´ ÃÂÃÂÃÂº) (Out searching for you)- First published in 1970
Pakhairoo (ÃÂ¾ÃÂ©ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂ) (Birds)- A book in the Punjabi language
Parinday (ÃÂ¾ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ¯ÃÂ) (Birds)
Parwaz (ÃÂ¾ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ²) (Flight)
Payar Ka Pehla Shehr (ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ± ÃÂ©ÃÂ§ ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂÃÂ§ ÃÂ´ÃÂÃÂ±) (Love's first city)- First published in 1974
Putli Peking Ki (ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂªÃÂÃÂ ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂ©ÃÂÃÂ¯ ÃÂ©ÃÂ) (The Peking Doll)- First published in 2009
Qilaa Jangi (ÃÂÃÂÃÂ¹ÃÂ ÃÂ¬ÃÂÃÂ¯ÃÂ) (Fortified war)
Qurbat-e-Marg Main Mohabbat (ÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂ¨ÃÂªÃÂ ÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂ¯ ÃÂÃÂÃÂº ÃÂÃÂÃÂ¨ÃÂª) (Love near death)
Raakh (ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ©ÃÂ¾) (Ashes)
Ratti Gali- First published in 2005
Safar Shumal Kay (ÃÂ³ÃÂÃÂ± ÃÂ´ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ ÃÂ©ÃÂ) (Journeys of the north)- First published in 1991
Shamshaal Baimesaal (ÃÂ´ÃÂÃÂ´ÃÂ§ÃÂ ÃÂ¨ÃÂÃÂÃÂ«ÃÂ§ÃÂ) (Peerless Shamshaal) First published in 2000
Shehpar (ÃÂ´ÃÂÃÂ¾ÃÂ±) (Wings)
Shuter Murgh Riasat (ÃÂ´ÃÂªÃÂ± ÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂº ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ³ÃÂª) (Ostrich State)
Snow Lake (ÃÂ³ÃÂÃÂ ÃÂÃÂÃÂ©) First published in 2000
Sunehri Ullo Ka Shaher (ÃÂ³ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂ ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂÃÂ ÃÂ©ÃÂ§ ÃÂ´ÃÂÃÂ±) (The city of golden owl)
Yaak Saraey (ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ© ÃÂ³ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ¦ÃÂ) (Yaak Inn)- First published in 1997
Khas-o-Khashak Zamane (ÃÂ®ÃÂ³ ÃÂ ÃÂ®ÃÂ§ÃÂ´ÃÂ§ÃÂ© ÃÂ²ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ) (Novel)
Alaska Highway (ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ³ÃÂ©ÃÂ§ ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ¦ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂ) (Travelogue)
Australia Awargi (ÃÂ¢ÃÂ³ÃÂ¹ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ§ ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂ¯ÃÂ) (Travelogue, 2015)
15-Kahaniyan (15 ÃÂ©ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂº) (Short Stories, 2015)
Rakaposhi Nagar (ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ©ÃÂ§ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂ´ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂ¯ÃÂ±) (Travelogue, 2015)
America Key Sou Rang (ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ©ÃÂ§ ÃÂ©ÃÂ ÃÂ³ÃÂ ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ¯) (Travelogue of America, 2015)
Aur Sindh Behta Raha (ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ± ÃÂ³ÃÂÃÂ¯ÃÂ¾ ÃÂ¨ÃÂÃÂªÃÂ§ ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ§) (Travelogue of Sindh, 2016)
Haramosh Naqabil e Faramosh (Travelogue of Haramosh peak, 2017)
Karvaan Siraye (ÃÂ©ÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ ÃÂ³ÃÂ±ÃÂ§ÃÂ¦ÃÂ) (2001 )
Ullu Hamare Bhai Hain (ÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ ÃÂÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂ ÃÂ¨ÃÂ¾ÃÂ§ÃÂ¦ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂÃÂº)
Lahore Awargi (ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂÃÂ± ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂ¯ÃÂ)
Pyar ka Pehla Punjab (ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ± ÃÂ©ÃÂ§ ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂÃÂ§ ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂ¬ÃÂ§ÃÂ¨)
Siyah Aankh Mein Tasveer (ÃÂ³ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂ ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ©ÃÂ¾ ÃÂÃÂÃÂº ÃÂªÃÂµÃÂÃÂÃÂ±)
Tarar Nama (ÃÂªÃÂ§ÃÂ±ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂ§ÃÂÃÂ)

Drama

He is also the author of many famous drama series for Pakistan Television Corporation or PTV.

Hazaron Raaste (Thousands of Paths)
Parinda (Bird)
Shahpar (Wings)
Sooraj Ke Sath Sath (staying along with the Sun)
Keilash (Name of a tribe in northern areas of Pakistan)
Fareb (illusion)

Travelogue writer

As a mountaineer and a travelogue writer himself, Tarar has long promoted the cause of tourism projects in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.

Awards and recognition

Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) - Announced on 14th August 2025, in Literature by the President of Pakistan, to be presented on 23 March 2026.
Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) - Awarded in Literature by the President of Pakistan in 2017
Pride of Performance Award - Awarded in Literature in 1992
Anjuman Farogh-i-Urdu (Qatar) Award
Pakistan Academy of Letters PAL nominated him in 2022 for Kamal-e-Fun Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) shared with Ashu Lal Faqeer, but he refused to take the 'half award'.
Prime Minister's Literary Award in 1999 for his novel Rakh.
Gold Medal from Moscow State University
Tarar also remained 'Pakistan's most popular personality' for 2 years consecutively in the 1990s.

References

External links

official website