Google, the world’s leading search engine, has unveiled its annual “Top Trending Searches” for 2023 in Pakistan, revealing a diverse array of interests among the Pakistani populace. Notably, TikTok sensation Hareem Shah has claimed the top spot, displacing last year’s leader, cricketer Naseem Shah.
The annual list, released on Monday, showcases Pakistanis’ interests spanning sports, politics, Bollywood, and the lives of content creators. This year’s top trending searches include Hareem Shah, YouTuber Aliza Sehar, Bollywood star Tiger Shroff, and cricketer Abdullah Shafique.
Hareem Shah
Hareem Shah, a prominent figure in Pakistani social media, rose to fame through her TikTok videos and involvement in the country’s political scene. In the latter part of the year, she made headlines due to her husband Bilal Shah’s sudden disappearance. Alleging his “kidnapping for unknown reasons,” it was later revealed that he was detained by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for interrogation regarding controversial posts associated with Hareem’s name.
Aliza Sehar
Aliza Sehar, a YouTuber hailing from a small village in Punjab, describes herself as a “simple girl” in her YouTube bio. Known for her countryside-themed videos and boasting 1.7 million subscribers on YouTube and around 3 million followers on TikTok, she faced controversy when a private video call was leaked on social media.
Tiger Shroff
Bollywood heartthrob Tiger Shroff secured the third position in Google’s top 10 search trends in Pakistan. The son of veteran Indian actor Jackie Shroff, Tiger gained attention for his upcoming movie “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” with Akshay Kumar. Additionally, rumors about his death circulated online earlier in the year.
Abdullah Shafique
Abdullah Shafique, recognized as one of Pakistan’s top cricket players, made his ICC World Cup debut this year, captivating audiences with his exceptional performance. Partnering with Mohammad Rizwan, they achieved the distinction of becoming the first Pakistani pair to “rack up hundreds in a World Cup match” against Sri Lanka, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
In the political sphere, the appointment of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar contributed to the eventful year, with Kakar also making it to the list of top trending searches in Pakistan. The country’s search trends reflect a blend of sports, entertainment, and political curiosity, showcasing the diverse interests of the Pakistani population in 2023.