Pakistani actor Mahira Khan has announced that she is expecting her second child, nearly 17 years after welcoming her first son, Azlan Askari.
The actor shared the happy news with her fans on Instagram on Sunday, September 13, posting a photograph in which she was seen cradling her baby bump while dressed in white and standing behind a sheer curtain.
Mahira accompanied the announcement with the message, “We make plans and then there is Allah’s plan.”
The announcement quickly attracted widespread attention, with fans flooding the comments section with congratulations, prayers and heartfelt wishes for Mahira and her husband, businessman Salim Karim.
Fans Celebrate Mahira’s Pregnancy News
Mahira’s pregnancy announcement came as a surprise to many of her followers, who immediately responded with messages of love and congratulations.
Fans expressed their happiness for the actor and her family, while several Pakistani celebrities also joined the celebrations.
Actress and model Nadia Husain congratulated Mahira with a heartfelt message, while actor Aiman Khan was also among those who sent her good wishes.
The large response reflected Mahira’s popularity among Pakistani audiences, with fans celebrating the actor’s personal milestone alongside her professional achievements.
Mahira Opens Up About Pregnancy at 41
Mahira has also spoken about her pregnancy and how different the experience has been compared with her first pregnancy.
The actor became a mother for the first time at the age of 24. Now, at 41, she said her second pregnancy has been a significantly different experience.
Speaking to Images, Mahira described the pregnancy as more challenging, both physically and emotionally.
She explained that being older has brought a greater level of awareness and emotional vulnerability to the experience.
According to Mahira, she understands more about the importance and fragility of pregnancy this time around, which has also made her more conscious of the experience.
Actor Says Pregnancy Was Unexpected
Mahira also revealed that becoming a mother again at this stage of her life was not necessarily something she had imagined.
She explained that people often make plans for their lives, but circumstances can unfold in unexpected ways.
For Mahira, the pregnancy has become an experience of accepting uncertainty and learning to surrender to what life brings.
She described this process of surrender as an important part of her pregnancy journey.
Her comments offered a more personal perspective on the announcement and showed how differently she has experienced motherhood this time compared with nearly two decades ago.
Mahira Embraces Her Baby Bump at TIFF
The pregnancy announcement came during an important period in Mahira’s international career, as she was attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as part of its Community Impact programming.
Rather than keeping her pregnancy hidden during the festival, Mahira chose to embrace the moment and appear publicly with her baby bump.
For the festival red carpet, she wore a sari by Aafrinish by Niazi.
The actor said she felt that there was something freeing about embracing where she is in her life instead of trying to conceal her pregnancy.
Her appearance at the festival therefore became significant on both a personal and professional level.
Mahira Represents Pakistan on International Platform
During her TIFF appearance, Mahira also took part in conversations focused on storytelling, representation and the experiences of South Asian communities living in the diaspora.
She moderated a discussion with filmmaker Bassam Tariq, exploring issues connected with storytelling and representation.
Mahira has previously emphasized the importance of using international platforms to represent Pakistan and highlight its distinct voice within South Asian cinema.
She said she wants to understand why she is participating in an international event, what purpose her presence serves and what she can contribute to the conversation.
Her TIFF appearance allowed her to combine her work in the international film community with a deeply personal milestone.
Mahira Khan’s Family
Mahira married businessman Salim Karim in 2023.
She was previously married to Ali Askari, with whom she shares her 17-year-old son, Azlan.
The arrival of her second child will mark a major new chapter in Mahira’s personal life, coming almost 17 years after she became a mother for the first time.
Her pregnancy announcement has therefore attracted significant interest from fans who have followed her career and personal journey over the years.
Fans Continue to Shower Love
Mahira’s announcement has added a personal dimension to an already significant period in her career.
While she continues to represent Pakistan at international cinema events, the actor is now preparing for another major milestone in her family life.
Her decision to openly embrace her pregnancy has also received attention, particularly because she chose to appear confidently at an international film festival while expecting her second child.
With fans and fellow celebrities sending prayers and congratulations, Mahira Khan has received an overwhelming wave of love following the announcement.
The actor’s journey into motherhood for a second time, nearly 17 years after the birth of her first son, marks a deeply personal chapter in her life.
Also read: Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan’s Movie Neelofar Relesed Nationwide
