Zaib Rehman

During her time as student at Lahore College for Women University, she acted as President of the Dramatic Society and completed a National Guard training. She achieved many prizes in inter-college debating competitions. In 1975, she also performed in the annual production of the play Phandy.^[1]

Rehman began her television career with Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). In a 2010 interview, she described Shikayatein Hikayatein, written by Bano Qudsia, as her first television assignment.^[3] She became known for her work in PTV dramas of the 1980s, including Andhera Ujala, Ragon Mein Andhera, Shikayatein Hikayatein and other plays.^[3] She also worked with television directors including Muhammad Nisar Hussain, Yawar Hayat, Ayub Khawar and Rashid Dar.^[3]

After a break from acting, Rehman returned to screen work with Shoaib Mansoor's film Bol, which marked her feature-film debut.^[3] Her performance as the mother in the film received critical notice; The Times of India described her as "compelling".^[4] She later appeared in Farouq Mengal's film Hijrat as Murad's mother.^[5]

In 2016, Rehman returned to television with the Geo TV serial Mannat. The News International reported that the serial marked her return to television after a 25-year gap.^[6] She subsequently appeared in Piyari Bittu, Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, Aangan and Qissa Meherbano Ka. In Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, she played Amma Jannatay; Dawn described it as "yet another powerful role" after her comeback.^[7] Her performance in Aangan was also noted by Dawn Images, which described her performance as Malkin as "compelling".^[8]

In 2021, Rehman appeared in Qissa Meherbano Ka.^[9] She also appeared in the ZEE5/Zindagi web series Dhoop Ki Deewar, written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Haseeb Hasan.^[10] In 2024, she appeared in Green Entertainment's DuniyaPur.^[11]

In addition to acting, Rehman is a lawyer and entrepreneur. In a 2010 interview, she was described as holding an LLM from the University of the Punjab and as the chief executive officer of Memaar Associates.^[3] The same interview stated that she had dubbed characters played by Irene Papas in the Urdu versions of The Message and Lion of the Desert.^[3]

Rehman was married to writer, actor and playwright Dr Enver Sajjad. Sajjad passed away in 2019. She has two daughters, Ayesha and Priya.

Zaib Rehman holds the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (University of the Punjab)
• D.T.L. (Diploma in Taxation Law)

She currently practices law in Lahore High Court and is providing free legal aid to deserving prisoners. In April 2014, Zaib Rehman - chairwoman of the Lahore High Court Women Prisons Committee - paid for air tickets for two Tanzanians forgotten in Central Jail Lahore (Kot Lakhpat) for two years.^[15] The Tanzanians, Umar Ali Suleiman and Muhammad Ashraf Zakki, were jailed for overstay in Pakistan. They returned to their home country on 7 May 2014.^[16]

She frequently holds lectures on social topics in different colleges, e. g. at Lahore University of Management Sciences' Feminist Society (FemSoc).^[17][18] In March 2014, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Lahore College for Women University.^[19]