From police officer to actor: Hamza Ali Abbasi shares his unlikely career journey

Renowned actor Hamza Ali Abbasi has revealed that he took the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination as part of a bet with his mother and unexpectedly secured high marks that led him to become a police officer.

Speaking in a recent podcast, Hamza opened up about his personal and professional journey, sharing how his path evolved from acting to spirituality.

He stated that he took a break from the entertainment industry to gain a deeper understanding of Islam and to seek answers to the intellectual and theological questions he had long pondered.

He credited Islamic scholar Javed Ahmed Ghamidi for providing logical, Quran- and Hadith-based explanations that brought him peace of mind.

The actor also recalled a difficult period from his childhood when his kidneys failed at the age of eight, and his family feared he might not survive. “I don’t remember much from that time, but it was a turning point for my family as they feared I wouldn’t make it,” he said.

Abbasi expressed admiration for working women, describing them as brave and supportive partners. He praised the women in his family, mentioning that his sister, Dr Fazeela Abbasi, is an internationally renowned dermatologist, jokingly crediting her for his flawless skin, saying, “That’s why I don’t need makeup.”

He also spoke affectionately about his wife, actress Naimal Khawar, who runs a beauty business, and his mother, Begum Nasim Akhtar Chaudhry, a former member of the national assembly and lawyer.

Abbasi shared that his mother had once challenged him to take the CSS exam merely for the experience, assuring him that she wouldn’t compel him to work.

After performing exceptionally well and being assigned to the Police Service of Pakistan, he initially joined but later resigned, realizing that bureaucratic life did not suit his temperament.

He concluded by praising Pakistan’s police service as one of the country’s most vital institutions but admitted that his true passion lies in creativity and contemplation rather than bureaucracy and administration.