Mahira Khan reveals pregnancy, expecting second child

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani actor Mahira Khan has announced that she is expecting her second child, sharing the news on social media while attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada.

Mahira Khan, 41, shared a photograph on Instagram on Sunday in which she is seen cradling her baby bump while wearing a white outfit.

In the accompanying message, the actor reflected on the unpredictability of life, saying that while people make plans, there is ultimately a higher plan.

The pregnancy will be Mahira Khan’s second and her first child with businessman Salim Karim, whom she married in October 2023. She already has a son, Azlan, from her previous marriage to Ali Askari.

Mahira Khan has generally kept her personal life private and said the decision to publicly share her pregnancy was not an easy one. She also spoke about her concerns surrounding appearing at a red carpet while pregnant, describing the experience as different from anything she had gone through before.

A different experience at 41

Reflecting on her first pregnancy, Mahira Khan said she was 24 when she became a mother for the first time. She described that experience as different from her current pregnancy, saying she was younger, healthier and perhaps less aware of the things that could happen during pregnancy.

At 41, she said, she is a different person both emotionally and physically and has approached the experience with greater awareness.

The actor’s announcement also comes after pregnancy rumours surrounding her in 2024, which she had previously denied. She has now confirmed the pregnancy herself.

Mahira Khan at Toronto film festival

Mahira Khan is currently attending TIFF 2026, which runs from September 10 to 20. Her appearance at the festival has also brought attention to Pakistani cinema and filmmakers of Pakistani origin on the international stage.

She has spoken about the significance of being invited to Toronto, saying the festival has long been one of the events she looked forward to attending to watch films.

However, she said that at this stage of her career, she was particularly pleased to have an opportunity to speak about Pakistan as an important South Asian voice.

She said Pakistan has its own stories, identity and cinema, making participation in conversations at an international platform such as TIFF particularly meaningful.

Interest in Bassam Tariq’s film

Mahira Khan also discussed her interest in “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother”, which is making its world premiere at TIFF.

She said she watched the trailer and immediately liked the film before learning that its writer-director, Bassam Tariq, is of Pakistani origin.

The film stars Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali and John Cho and follows Latif, a devout Muslim and contract killer whose life is upended after the sudden death of his wife, leaving him to care for his children.

Tariq, who was born in Pakistan and raised in the United States, is receiving the “TIFF Tribute Rising Talent Award” this year for the film. His previous work includes the BAFTA-nominated feature “Mogul Mowgl”, starring Riz Ahmed.

Mahira Khan’s pregnancy announcement has added a personal milestone to her appearance at a festival where Pakistani talent and stories are receiving renewed international attention.