Ali Gul Pir says his satire targets what public figures say, not who they are | The Express Tribune

Comedian and rapper Ali Gul Pir addressed the criticism around his satirical work in a recent interview, insisting that his content targeted what public figures said, never who they were.

“My identity as a creator, rapper, and comedian is built on offering a different perspective. I don’t set out to mock or ridicule individuals personally; I draw from public domain events and statements to share a comedic or critical viewpoint,” he said.

Pir added, “I never set out to attack personalities. I always focus on the content of what they say. My satire is directed purely at the words, statements, and actions people put out into the public sphere.”

The comedian noted, however, that the distinction didn’t always land well with the people he featured in his skits and content. “Some artists do get offended, and I’ve received direct messages from people expressing their discomfort with my dubs and parodies. But the reality is, when you choose to be a public figure, being subject to satire and critique comes with the job,” Pir stated.

He also weighed in on the broader debate surrounding the regulation of online content, noting that his song Kholo Ban was written specifically to push back against blanket bans on platforms and websites. “Banning entire platforms or websites is never a solution,” he said.

The comedian added, “If there are a few books in a library that you don’t like or agree with, you don’t burn down or lock up the entire building, you address those specific issues instead.”

Discussing his own creative choices, Pir explained why he gravitated toward rap instead of more conventional musical genres. “What drew me to rap is that it isn’t limited to romantic themes or traditional love songs. It gives you the space to talk about real-life struggles, social issues, and the everyday realities that people actually face,” he said.

That approach, however, did not translate into overnight financial success for Pir, even after his breakout hit Waderai Ka Beta. “The song became a massive hit, and everyone recognised my face, but my financial reality hadn’t changed overnight. I was still commuting on public buses. People on the bus would literally ask me, ‘Aren’t you the Waderai Ka Beta? Why are you riding the bus instead of driving that luxury car from the video?'” he shared.

He also recalled being rejected by a music channel executive before the song took off, because it didn’t fit the industry’s commercial formula. “Before my song blew up, I took it to a music channel executive hoping to get it aired. He turned me away and said it wouldn’t work because it didn’t have female models or a romantic storyline, the typical formula at the time. Shortly after, that exact song went viral,” Pir said.

Moving to discuss his personal life, the comedian opened up about how his mother, who raised him and his brother as a single parent after getting divorced, shaped his worldview.

“She ran a business, took care of us, and taught us the value of self-reliance. I strongly believe that a society can never truly progress until its women are safe, independent, and free to live on their own terms,” Pir noted.

That belief, he added, was reinforced during a writing retreat in Indonesia, where he observed a starkly different social dynamic. “I observed women driving scooties late at night and working without fear. Seeing women empowered and economically independent made it obvious to me that societies naturally thrive when women feel secure and autonomous,” the comedian said.

Since Waderai Ka Beta, Pir has built a career that moves between music, comedy and commentary. His parodies and dubbing videos, built around public statements and current events, have become a recurring feature of his online output.