Umair Haroon takes Pakistan to International Emmy stage

Producer joins IATAS as sole Pakistani member

Dr Umair Haroon, television producer and director, has been elected as a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (IATAS), the organisation behind the prestigious International Emmy Awards.

Dr Umair Haroon – with a career spanning more than 200 documentaries and television projects – is currently the only Pakistani serving on the Academy, a milestone that underscores the growing recognition of Pakistan’s television industry on the global stage.

Haroon is known for pioneering science-based and investigative storytelling in Pakistan, including the launch of the country’s first forensic science television series. His work has consistently focused on using media as a platform for public service and education.

Membership of the Academy is considered one of the highest acknowledgments of professional achievement in television. Haroon now joins an international roster of industry leaders such as Mo Abudu and Tunde Aina.

Reacting to the honour, Haroon said, “To stand at this platform is to solidify my commitment to using media as a force for education, justice, and cultural preservation. Pakistani television has a rich tradition of storytelling from classic dramas that defined eras to bold, contemporary narratives tackling real issues.”

He also expressed gratitude to the Academy’s Nominating Committee, President & CEO Bruce Paisner, and Director of Membership Tracy Oliver. “I am immensely proud to represent a creative community that brings authenticity and depth to the global screen, and I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s work in recognising outstanding international talent.”

Founded in 1969, the International Academy has honoured some of the most influential figures in television, including Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, and JJ Abrams. Dr Umair Haroon’s induction not only highlights his personal achievements but also marks a significant step toward greater collaboration and visibility for Pakistani content in the international television arena.

The IATAS has recently unveiled the International Emmy nominations. This year, 64 nominees compete across 16 categories, representing a record-breaking 26 countries – a reflection of the ever-expanding reach of international storytelling.

Paisner hailed the breadth of representation. “As the International Emmys continue to recognise the very best in television, the creativity and calibre of this year’s nominees, from a record 26 countries, reflect the global strength of our industry,” Paisner said.

The nominees span continents, with submissions from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

Among the standout categories, the Best Performance by an Actor includes Diljit Dosanjh for ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ (India), David Mitchell in ‘Ludwig’ (UK), Oriol Pla in ‘Yo, adicto’ (Spain), and Diego Vasquez in ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ (Colombia).

In the Best Actress field, nominees include Charlotte Hope in ‘Catch Me A Killer’ (South Africa), Anna Maxwell Martin in ‘Until I Kill You’ (UK), Carolina Miranda in ‘Mujeres Asesinas’ (Mexico), and Maria Sid in ‘Smartpunkten’ (Sweden).

The Drama Series category is equally competitive, featuring Mexico’s ‘Las Azules’, Israel’s ‘Bad Boy’, South Africa’s ‘Koek’, and the UK’s ‘Rivals’. Comedy, a perennial favorite, sees titles like South Korea’s ‘Chicken Nugget’, France’s ‘Iris’, the UK’s ‘Ludwig’, and Mexico’s ‘Y Llegaron de Noche’ vying for recognition.

Documentaries and current affairs entries spotlight urgent stories, from Brazil’s ‘Reporter Record Investigacao: Desaparecidos Forcados’ to Singapore’s ‘Walk the Line’, and from the UK’s ‘Hell Jumper’ to France’s ‘King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones’.

News coverage also earns its place, with nominations including ‘The Gangs of Haiti’ (UK) and ‘Gaza, Search for Life’ (Qatar). Children’s programming shines with animated favorites like ‘Bluey’ (Australia) and ‘Moominvalley’ (Finland), while live-action nominees range from Brazil’s ‘Luz’ to Kenya’s ‘Prefects’. Non-scripted entertainment continues to travel widely, with formats such as ‘Big Brother: Canada – Season 12’ and ‘Love is Blind: Habibi’ (UAE) in contention.