Interviews

Good Morning Pakistan’s host, Dr Shaista Wahidi

Published by TV Explore on October 22, 2009

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Good Morning Pakistan’s host, Dr Shaista Wahidi speaks on the celebration of her show’s first anniversary.

Pakistan’s favourite television anchor Dr. Shaista Wahidi’s story starts off on a similar note as any urban girl in her country. The Shaista of yesteryear, in her own words, was a young woman who felt she had to compromise to please her family. From marriage and kids in her teens to studying for a lost cause, she became a non-practising doctor to keep up with her parent’s wishes. While this brought the reward of a happy family, destiny had other plans for the now famous TV host.

Out of sheer boredom during her time as a housewife Shaista decided to try her luck by entering a VJ contest for a local FM station. The experience was second to none and eventually helped shape her transition to television. Blessed with an abundance of talent, namely the gift of the gab, Shaista has managed to connect with her audiences at an altogether different level not seen on Pakistani television before. From the public to politicians, cricketers to celebrities, Shaista is undoubtedly the preferred choice of a nation, which is fast catching up to her mantra of positivity and hope.

As her flagship show, Good Morning Pakistan (GMP), celebrates its first anniversary. Dr Shaista reveales her innermost thoughts about her journey to stardom and beyond.

Tell us about GMP on ARY, which in one year has become one of their leading programmes. How has the journey been?

GMP is my baby and I am proud of leading it for a year. Yes, it’s challenging hosting and producing as this means looking after the content and participating in the overall planning of the show, but I am ably supported by my production team led by my senior producer Talat Raza. In our team, one thing is very clear that no one is the boss and we all have the right to be heard. It’s a culture I love at ARY and am glad the channel has helped me cultivate a similar environment in the team.

The show is unique because not a single day passes when we don’t receive calls from minister’s wives or affluent families wanting to contribute or help about a certain issue that was discussed on that particular day. It’s very touching because we have a responsibility to society and through GMP we have been able to establish a platform for people to connect and help.

Moreover it is my personal objective to empower the Pakistani woman who desperately needs a voice and practical advice in various facets of her life. We have had fantastic response for introducing new elements like career counselling, medical and skin care advice and summer camps and we intend to keep moving in this direction.

Do you consider yourself an inspiration to women?

I believe in substance. You see it’s not about being a woman or man, it’s about the individual. If you believe in yourself then it becomes a completely different story. The whole world starts to revolve around you once you gain that self confidence. I never wanted to be the usual complaining woman considering that is the most common image of a female in our society. On the contrary, I am a big fan of Rhonda Byrnes’, The Secret, in which the law of attraction states that when you want something you must start believing in it and practice it as if you have it. I have applied this to enhance the power of positivity which people say I resonate but if you ask me I just dislike negative thinking.

Today I can proudly say I am at peace with myself. Besides this discipline is vital, which includes working out and keeping fit to beat stress, being health conscious and eating right. Mind you, all of these don’t come without a strict routine. I was never like this but have evolved with time in order to pursue the goals I have set in my life. I guess it shows and perhaps this is why they look up to me.

Your following is equally popular with male audiences. According to a survey men find you the best looking and most pleasant host. What are your thoughts?

Well it’s a plus point. I am aware of the fact that I am good looking and you are on the money about men watching GMP because of the looks. I see no harm in men liking women on the face of it as long as they are not hypocrites like most men in our society. I am glad they have at least admitted it in that survey but will be happier if they openly talk about their reason for watching others or me on the show whilst sitting next to their wives.

Television is larger than life to those watching at home and hence we do work consciously on the looks and makeovers for all the segments and hosts. For example I work with my designer Ruby Shakeel and stylist Mahjabeen who are responsible for making me look the way I do on the show. At the same time I am known to be choosy as I don’t like wearing loud colours or busy prints.

Your most ardent admirers are politicians, cricketers and celebrities. According to them you are their favourite host because you bring the best out of them. What’s your magic touch?

When someone is invited on my show I make it a point that they are treated as our houseguests including politicians and cricketers who are mostly grilled in interviews. I am fully aware that people want me to take them on and it’s not that I don’t but I just do it in a way which is subtle and humane. One of my memorable interviews was with our current Prime Minister on the eve of his win. My entire focus was on humanising Yousaf Raza the person and not Mr. Gillani the prime minister. To my surprise it took him just one question to start talking about his fondness for Indian films and specially Ashwariya Rai who is an absolute favourite of his, so much so that he used to watch Ash’s movies during his days of imprisonment. Pakistan loved that interview and I got such great feedback even from the critics, which was a pleasant surprise.

The morning routine for the morning host

Firstly, I wish myself good morning before anyone else does. No matter how clichéd it is, my belief is that you must first learn to love yourself in order to love the world.

My husband is usually late home from work in the evenings as he’s a workaholic but we both make it a point to spend the last hours sharing and catching up. Therefore, I go to bed very late despite the fact that I rise by six every morning. Once I’m up, I look forward to my three precious gems Shaafay, Fayz and Eman. Every day is a beginning full of energy and positivity in my life. As soon as I step out of the house I do a 360° from a devoted mother and a wife to an ambitious producer and host with a responsibility to lead a show, which makes a difference in the lives of millions every day.

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  1. zahra on Sun, 15th Nov 2009 5:48 pm 

    shaista i like ur show and i watch ur show daily agar college jana hota hai to men chutti karleti hon lekin apka show nahin chorti plzzz apne programe men dipika and asin ko bulain woh dono aik dosray ki bhot achi friends hain just liks as sisters ok plzzz meri wish puri karain plzzz

  2. iqra on Sat, 5th Dec 2009 10:43 pm 

    hi i like your show you are very preety

  3. shantul khan on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 10:02 pm 

    Hi i do not like your show.

  4. shantul khan on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 10:07 pm 

    Hi u better than Nadia khan show.

  5. wajiha on Tue, 19th Jan 2010 8:46 pm 

    i love u and ur show i need a bag pleas

  6. wajiha on Tue, 19th Jan 2010 8:50 pm 

    pleas don't forget me i like u and pleas atif aslam ko zaror bulainy

  7. wajiha on Tue, 19th Jan 2010 8:53 pm 

    i need a bag i like u r show and my family also

  8. filza on Sun, 24th Jan 2010 5:38 am 

    salam ,Dr, shaista aapka show bohat achha hai, plz ye onlin kar deIN.UN MARDO K LIYE JO APNI MAA KI KHOSHI K LIYE DUSRON KI BETIYUON kO TALAQ DETE HAIN((MAA KI GODD MAIN BETIYAN JANNAT KA EK TUKRA HAI,UJAARA JAB BHI KISI NE IS KO WO KHUD JANNAT SE MEROOM HO GAYA))PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZ SHAISTA TALAQ K TOPIC PER ZAROOR SHOW KARE.PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

  9. Jawad Javed on Mon, 25th Jan 2010 7:53 pm 

    how are you dr shaista

  10. Arbab_khan on Wed, 27th Jan 2010 1:30 am 

    ASALAM-O-ALAIKUM. I M ARBAB KHAN FROM KARACHI,LIYARI. I M STUDENT MUJHE AP KE SHOWS BOHAT ACHE LAGTE HE AND ALSO YOU ME YE KEHNA CHAHTA HO KE JO DARE APKO WAQAR ZAKA NE DIYA HE LOIN WALA AP WO NA KARE BECZ HUM YE CHAHTE HE K AP JIS TARHA LOGO KO GUID KARTI HO USE KAFI LOG MANTE HE OR HAME APKI BAHADORI KI NI BALKE APKI GUIGNESS AND APKI ZARORAT HE OR ESA KARNA BAHADORI NI BEWAQOFI HE SO PLZ ESA KOI QADAM MAT UTHAI GA PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

  11. safia bashir on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 3:48 pm 

    Assalaam u alaikum,

    Good Morning Pakistan is a wonderful show. We watch it in Kenya Africa and just love the enthusiasm and work force of Dr Shaista. By her program im really encouraged to do alot. I wish we could have someone like her in Kenya. There alot we would like to do but cant due to many reasons. Shes very warm and gentle. Hats off to you Dr Shaista.

    Hope you do rcve this mail and reply.

    Take Care

    Lotsa duas

    Safia

  12. shiny on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 5:25 pm 

    asalam o alikum shaista … kya khun app k barae mai u r awsm i hv no wrds yar aswm,out standing,superb…yae sab words to app k layk he nai hain app bht zabardast ho bht cool bht smart n ur show is …oh my good its 2222222222 good…pta hai app hansti ho to meri mom mai hm sab k face pae smile a jati hai ..mainae kbi kisi show mai koi letter koi call koi mail koi feedback kbi kuch nai dia par app nae muje majbur kar dia ..

  13. Nasr-e-Azam on Sat, 6th Feb 2010 1:09 am 

    Salaam! How are you dr shaista . I like your program

  14. mrs humaira khurram on Sat, 6th Feb 2010 5:25 am 

    hi shahista!u looks beautiful in saree,well i like ur show and your hosting style .takecare

  15. shaista wahidi on Wed, 10th Feb 2010 8:16 pm 

    nice post. i like it. keep watch goodmorning pakistan

  16. umair hussian on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 6:47 am 

    hello my favrate miss shahista you look veeeeeery nice i love your show i wana come out your show can you give me this breliat chance to me i am vating for your answer thanx.your favrate fan no.1 umair hussain 03132573735

  17. lubaba on Fri, 26th Feb 2010 6:28 am 

    I love u so much shaista anti!

    yar ap plz mussay frndship karle ap mjhy bht achi lagti hai really! and ap mere batoo ko ignoor mat karega ap meri email pe b musssay contact karsakti hai my id is "****@hotmail.com" and facebook pe bhi "Lubaba khalid" k name se hoo plz dont ignoor me plzzzzzzzz luv u sooo much

  18. imtisal shahid on Sun, 14th Mar 2010 11:36 pm 

    hello dr.shaista wahidi i am great fan of you.ap mujhy bohat achi lagti hain plz read my mail.

  19. imtisal shahid on Sun, 14th Mar 2010 11:40 pm 

    hello mainy phely bhi apko gmpakistan k email adress pr mail ki thi lakin ap ny mujhy reply nahi kia.mujhy bhi ap ki tarha hosting karny ka shocq hai INSHALLAH future mein ap ki tarha achi host bano gi.

  20. sadia on Wed, 31st Mar 2010 3:12 am 

    Assalamo alaikum shaista,

    Thank you very much for making my mornings beautiful here in canada with your wonderful show esp. I loved the one on march 23rd 2010,JZK for that and all the positivety you've bring into my life and into other's .

    aap bohat naik kaam ker rehi hain qaum ko aik acchi or +ve soch dai ker jiski bohat zuroorat hai

    Even your brother Sahir is a good speaker and I'm sure he must be using his talent wisely as well,May Allah(ST) bless you and your family with the best always here and in hereafter (ameen)

  21. MUHAMMAD WAQAR AKMAL on Fri, 9th Apr 2010 9:45 am 

    Assalam – o – Alikum Dr. Shaista

    Aap ka programme bohot acha he aap naiki ka kam kar rahi hain meri Dua he Allah ap ko or himmat de plz meri ek request he ke aap apne programme me ek naiki ka kam or karin ke jo Gareeb larkian hain or jin ki shadi sirf is waja se nahi ho rahi he ke un ke waldeen ke pas jahaze dene ke liay nahi he plz apne programme se ese logon ke liay jahaz ka intizam karin aap behter janti hain ke ye wo kam he jis se Allah hum sub se razi hoga, aap ka bohot Shukria, Aap ka Bhai Muhammad Waqar Akmal

  22. Farkhanda Razvi on Wed, 19th May 2010 8:41 am 

    dear shaista jee

    AoA

    agr uk waley app ko fhon kr k shamil nhi ho saktey to uk waloun ko goodmorning dekhatey ku hain….

  23. huna ali on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 1:12 am 

    im residing in u.s and i watch goodmorning pakistan every day. i really like the show cause dr.shaista the host always talk positive about pakistan and pakistani people.(thumbs up).

    i,d like to requst the host to plz. show the development of pakistan on your channel , not by showing people only but the places like sea side, park towers, forum etc. cause the people living here since last 20 yrs or so have not visited pakistan , and think it is not a place to have fun or vacation but taking trouble on their heads, unlike them i visited Pakistan and after havin a wonderful time there, i tried to convince people here. pakistan is not a bakward country anymore, pakistani girls and boys know how to carry themselves and etc. but wat they talk about is the problems, the traffic, the lawlessness, and roberies. i guess it is time now that you people take the responsibility and show them the development done in pakistan. thanx

  24. jawaid on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 1:25 am 

    GOOD MORNING TO PAKISTAN AND TO A LOVELY HOST OF THIS PRORAMME.

    DR. SHAISTA I LIKE YOUR MORNING SHOW, YOU ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB IN THIS SHOW.

    I LIKE YOUR DRESSING AND THE WAY OF PRESENTATION, BUT THERE IS ONE THING I WOULD LIKE YOU TO IMPROVE, THAT IS PLZ. DO NOT USE THE WORD YAAR, IT IS NOT A POLISHED WORD . IT IS LIKE …..HOW SADAK CHAAP WORD, WHICH A HOST SHOULD NOT USE. YOUR SHOW IS BEEN WATCHED IN ALL OVER THE WORLD, PEOPLE OF ALL THE AGES WATCH YOU PROGRAMME. WAT MY GIRL IS LEARNING FROM YOU IS A WORD YAAR, SO PLZ. RESPECT YOUR CALLERS , AUDIENCES, AND GROOM THE WAY YOU TALK.

    JAWAID ALI

  25. Khalid Sheikh on Fri, 11th Jun 2010 9:12 pm 

    Good Morning Pakistan shaista i like u and Ur show so much and i watch Ur show daily . i m Haris my age is 21. i wrote a film and i wanna contact to Director Syed Noor plz give me his Contact Number . my Email adder khalid_arms@yahoo.com khalid_arms@live.com my mobile no 0321-9215232 plz contact me at this number give me a chance plz plz

  26. benish khan on Wed, 16th Jun 2010 4:35 am 

    hello shaista aunty i watch ur shw and luv it!adnan siddiqui was hilarious i nva get a chance to call u so i need dress and plz do sumthing for teenage girls who r free like im an d idun hve anything to do on my vaccations!

  27. kiran on Wed, 16th Jun 2010 9:11 am 

    AOA,shaista you are the most fake host coz u copies nadia khan who is a genuine talented presenter after bushra ansari,dont try to be bubly girly teenager coz we have seen u as a reserved woman many years back with chef rahat on indus plus. secondly u always pampers indian heroines that every pakistani boy dreams of u and when u got puzzled by katrina u started saying she is not beautiful,cum on shaista try 2 conduct an interview with sensible questions rather then pampering celebs fakly,i hope u will try 2 b naturel.

  28. Khurram Faisal on Wed, 16th Jun 2010 2:39 pm 

    Just wanted to point out to Dr. Shaista Wahidi that while conducting the show " Kindly let other people talk when you ask them some thing or if a caller ask them any thing" Dr. Shaista has a very bad tendency of interupting others and constantly barging into their conversation and comments. We are sick and tired of watching her doing this over and over and the advise to the producers and directors of this program is to curtail this ugly habbit or hers. She is a very fake person and in the past I thought that Nadia Khan was the fake one, come out to be that Dr. Shaista is no different and infact worse.

  29. iqra on Fri, 2nd Jul 2010 3:08 am 

    shaista plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz iman ali wali dvd mj chahiye plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz mj de dn

  30. shahzad on Fri, 2nd Jul 2010 5:57 pm 

    Dr. Shaista

    U r realy good host. i like ur morning show.

    best of luck.also ur brother sahir lodhi is a talented person.

    i like that.

    best regards

    shahzad

  31. King Atif Boom on Mon, 12th Jul 2010 12:52 pm 

    Hi. Ms. shahista wahidi how r u. ur programe is sooooooooooooooooooo so well. i like ur show. plz sent gud morning pak E. mailfast. i\’m waiting for ur msg plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
    atif.boom@yahoo.com

  32. Rabia Khan on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 11:56 pm 

    we watch your show every morning. I would like to bring something to every Pakistani's attention. I didn't find the number to call and say this but the show this time where you had invited pakistani Heroes, and in particular, Army officer, Shaheed Major Rauf Haider's wife and son, you did something very very wrong and also the lady who had called you during their interview said things that are very wrong to say. the thing i didn't like is when you continuously kept mentioning that she is christian, this is christian family and kept going around this topic. even when the lady called, you brought it up and said 'despite of their being christian and stuff' and then the lady responded ' yes we are very thankful to you for saving our border'. you people and majority of Pakistanis are very discriminating. Pakistan belongs to every human and insect that lives and contributes to the country, regardless of their color, religion. very very shameful for you people to bring them on the show and to insult a Pakistani like this only because of religion, and to forget what the Major has done for HIS OWN COUNTRY PAKISTAN. you guys are very ignorant and indeed still living in the dark, please come out of your caves and learn that we are all humans before we divide our selves on the basis of religion, color and cast.

  33. Jgmohan Jatania on Thu, 29th Jul 2010 1:45 am 

    " I believe in substance. You see it’s not about being a woman or man, it’s about the individual. If you believe in yourself then it becomes a completely different story."

    Similar=Egoistic_Abhimani_Arognt none go with Individual_an English word_Indivisible_Universal. Indian word Atman sorry lost Urdu learning.

    Personality is Limited not Individuality.

    Then why limit to Pakistani ( nation in Universe )?

    Individual does not forbid_limit_Personality rather helps Towards Universal

  34. shahbaz haider on Wed, 4th Aug 2010 10:48 pm 

    can u tell me about information sir syed noor sahib acdeme .

  35. arjumand on Fri, 6th Aug 2010 5:23 pm 

    AOA ,shaista i agree with kiran as she has explained above you are the most fake host coz u copies nadia khan who is a genuine talented presenter donot try to be bubly girly teenager coz we have seen u as a reserved woman many years back with chef rahat on indus plus.You are an artificial presenter, who is fully dependent on make over,not having any thing genuine. secondly u always pampers indian heroines that every pakistani boy dreams of u and when u got puzzled by katrina u started saying she is not beautiful,cum on shaista try 2 conduct an interview with sensible questions rather then pampering celebs fakly,i hope u will try 2 b natural or quit soon….

  36. amna on Thu, 19th Aug 2010 3:16 pm 

    shaista ap plz mujhy eid k dresses bnwa dn plzzz……… nd meri khushi may sb sy bari rukawt khoahish ha… kiun k insan agr ak khoahish puri krta ha to us k dil may or khoahish ajati hn es trhan wo hamesha bs khoahish puri krny may rhta ha… khoahish puri krta ha khushi k liye but khoahish ki preshani may kbhe khush ni rh skta………

  37. maria on Fri, 20th Aug 2010 5:02 pm 

    AOA shaista…..plzzzzzzzzzzz leave the show bcz ur nht doing a good job…..plz try to learn something frm others host nd then come….nd b natural

  38. Sidra on Tue, 24th Aug 2010 12:43 pm 

    Hi maria how can u say this explain in detail

  39. UZMA on Thu, 26th Aug 2010 7:05 am 

    SHAISTA AOA , YOU ARE AN ANGLE FOR PAKISTANI PEOPLE …. I JUST WANT TO HELP THOSE PARENTS WHO ARE SUFFERING THERE SONS DEATH IN SIALKOT I WOULD LIKE TO HELP THEM FOR THAT I NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR CONTACT INFO THEN I WILL CALL YOU BACK FAISAL_SSGCGTI@GMAIL.COM…. I AM FROM USA MY NAME IS UZMA. THANK YOU

  40. irum noor on Sat, 28th Aug 2010 1:12 pm 

    aoa.i m from peshawar.guzashta barishoon ne hum se hamara sub kuch cheen lia hai .hamara ghar barish mai tabah ho gai hai meray abbu bank se retd hain un ki sari ummer ki jama ponji yehi ghar tha .apney ghar ki ye halat dekh kar wo sever depresion ka shikar ho gai hain un ki zehni halat theek nahi rahi hum buhat pareshan hain kuch samajh nahi aata kis se madad mangay. hum per aik aik din aik sadi ban kar guzar raha hai.abbu last 25 days se aik hi baat hath maltay howay kehtay hain k ab kia ho ga mai apna ghar kaisay banao ga hum sub un ko dekh kar rootay rehtay hain.plz hamari help karain .my contact number 03349003823

  41. madiha on Mon, 30th Aug 2010 2:26 am 

    hi doctor shaista really u r too gud ,and MASHALLAH u r so cute and ur dressing sense is outstanding ,shaista plz plz do invite nadia khan on ur show because i wish both of u r like frndz u both r doing superb job ,ary and geo both r gud and progressive channels of pakistan so pl plz both of u have to solve ur issuses,because nadia and shaista are awsum.

  42. ZAFAR MALIK on Tue, 31st Aug 2010 11:45 am 

    SLAM,,SHAHISTA SISTR,,,,ALLAH ap ko nor ziada khosh rkhy,,or kamyabi ata frmay,,(ameen),,,,,ap ka show bhot peara hy,,or jb tk khtam na ho bjay uthny ko dil nhi krta,,,,,ap sy 1 rqwest hy,,,,,,ap sar py dopata hmesha ly k rkha kry,,,bhot peari lgti hy,,,ye 1 bhai ki drkhast hy,,dekho ab ap kha tk meri bat ki laj rkhti hy,,OR WESY BHI YE ISLAM KA HUKAM NHI HY,,,,OR MERI KHAHISH BHI,,,agr ap man ly to thaks,,,nhi to ap apni life k mamly me khod mukhtear hy,,,,THANKS SISTR ,,,BURA LGA HO TO SORY,,,




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