He is the only radio, TV, film and stage performer in Pakistan who was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2013 by the then President Asif Ali Zardari for his outstanding contributions to the national cultural life through the medium of radio, television, film, stage, drama, motivational docu/drama, and his unique ability to carry a one-man show for over two hours.
Khalid Abbas Dar comes from a Kashmiri family of sportsmen. His father Abdul Malik Dar was Director Sports Islamia College Lahore who discouraged him even in his youth to join the community of entertainers and performers and almost had ousted him from his social environment.
My friendship with Khalid Abbas goes back to 1965 when he used to come to PTV Lahore almost daily as an artist where I was working in the programme department in the early days of nascent but very popular PTV. Therefore, I am witness to Dar's peerless and spectacular artistic and intellectual growth over the past 50 years.His versatility is such as be it radio, television, cinema or stage, success has followed Khalid Abbas Dar wherever he has ventured.
Dar was given Roll of Honor in 1966 by the Government College Lahore for his talent in "mimicry and one man show" - which remains the first and last such an award to be presented to an artist in over one and a half century, He won the best entertainer's award from PTV. He is the only artist to do so.He was awarded Presidential Award for Pride of Performance in 1998-99 and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2006-07 and Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2013.
He was a permanent member of the artists' team as a one man stand up comedian mimic that entertained over half a million Pakistani troops after the ceasefire of the 1965 war between Pakistan and India. The other artists included Mehdi Hassan, Ustaad Amanat Ali, Fateh Ali Khan, Naseem Begum, Fareeda Khanum, Roshan Ara Begum. Shaukat Ali, Khalid Abbas Dar conducted 33 such events for the Pakistan Army.
During his long career Dar has also written for theatre and TV. He has taken his drama production practically to all the major cities of USA, Canada and Europe. He has been practically an Ambassador of Culture by projecting culture, hope, aspirations, feelings for fraternity amongst nations and projecting a soft image of Pakistan.
His reputation from radio and theatre led to a career in television, where he performed leads in innumerable independent plays and serials, such as Sadhran, Jazeera, Kahani Ki Talash, Zanjeer, Jheel, Fifty Fifty, Panchoon Ghee Mein, Shaadi Key Saath Saath, Parchi and many more.
He has presented his shows before Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan, his Majesty, The Shah of Iran, General Mohammad Zia ul Haq, President of Pakistan, His Royal Highness, Prince Hassan Bin Talal and Her Royal Highness Princess Sarwat Talal, Mohammad Khan Junejo, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Balkh Sher Mazari, Meraaj Khalid (Care Taker Prime Ministers of Pakistan).Dar was responsible for the production of cultural show presented to 45 Heads of Islamic States during Islamic Summit Conference in February 1974 at Lahore Fort.
He continues to be a dominant force with his versatile performance in comedies as well as serious plays, writing on various themes and directing with innovations. He has been one of the vanguards in the establishment of theatre in Pakistan. His admirers are found both among intellectuals and the masses who love popular entertainment. His ability to sustain the interest of his audience over long periods is remarkable.