Key Highlights
- Theme: A documentary in honor of the National Hero, “Aitzaz Hasan.”
- Produced by: Rava Documentary Films, A documentary collective focused on Pakistan’s historical, cultural, and geopolitical narratives.
- Latest Documentary: Shaheed-e-Pakistan: Aitzaz Hasan
- Focus: The story of the 15-year-old student who stopped a suicide bomber from entering his school in Hangu on 6 January 2014
- Online Release: Premiering on the Rava Documentary Films YouTube channel
- Special Screening: Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi
- Date: Saturday, 25 April 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM – 8:45 PM
Remembering Aitzaz Hasan
On 6th of January, 2014, a bigger tragedy than the APS attack was unfolding, but a decision by a fifteen-year-old student from Hangu saved hundreds of lives and placed his name among Pakistan’s bravest heroes.
His name: Aitzaz Hasan.
More than a decade later, his story still stands as one of the most powerful examples of courage in the face of terrorism. Though stories like these sometimes fade from public memory with time.
At Rava Documentary Films, we believe they should not.
Through its upcoming documentary Shaheed-e-Pakistan: Aitzaz Hasan, Rava seeks to revisit the story of the young student whose actions prevented a devastating school attack and to ensure that his courage continues to be remembered by future generations.
What is Rava Documentary Films?
Pakistan’s history is full of stories worth telling. What it often lacks is people willing to tell them.
Rava Documentary Films brings attention to the forgotten histories, cultural, and geopolitical moments that shaped Pakistan but are gradually disappearing from public discussion.
Rather than narrating events from a distance, Rava investigates them. Each documentary seeks to understand what happened, who witnessed it, and why it continues to matter today. The team works closely with eyewitnesses, survivors, families, and individuals connected to each story so that the narratives come directly from those who lived through them.
For the past several years, Rava Documentary Films has been producing documentaries that highlight important chapters of Pakistan’s history. Each release is accompanied by a public screening event where audiences gather to watch the film together. These screenings often feature appearances from individuals connected to the story, including witnesses, family members, and experts who share their perspectives with the audience.
The Documentaries Rava has Worked On So Far
Many of Rava’s documentaries explore difficult but important stories shaped by terrorism, conflict, and resilience. Some of their works include:
Iqbal Masih – A Little Warrior
A documentary about Iqbal Masih, the young bonded laborer who became a global symbol in the fight against child slavery. The film documents his journey from captivity in carpet factories to international advocacy, highlighting the courage it took to speak against powerful systems and the tragic price he paid for raising his voice.
Pakistan Stock Exchange – The Police Story
An account of the terrorist attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi, where four police officers responded immediately and neutralized the attackers within eight minutes. The documentary highlights their rapid coordination, courage under fire, and the decisive actions that prevented a far greater tragedy, offering a close look at frontline policing during moments of extreme crisis.
Through personal accounts, field footage, and interviews, the documentary reveals the emotional and physical toll of duty, the risks officers take daily, and the human side of a force often seen only through headlines.
Jhaur – The 1971 War
A documentary that explores the events surrounding the 1971 war between Pakistan and India, which ultimately led to the separation of East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh.
Jhaur: The 1971 War examines how the conflict unfolded, the political and social tensions on both sides, and the wider regional dynamics that shaped the crisis. Through survivor testimonies and historical context, the film also reflects on the human cost of the war and its lasting impact on the region.
Flight 544 – Time is Running Out
A documentary based on the PIA Flight 544 hijacking on May 25, 1998, shortly after takeoff from Gwadar Airport. The film recounts how three armed men linked to the Baloch Liberation Army seized the aircraft carrying 33 passengers and 5 crew members, initially demanding that the plane be flown to New Delhi, India.
It follows the tense seven-hour standoff after the aircraft was diverted and landed in Hyderabad, where negotiations unfolded between the hijackers and authorities, including refueling requests and the release of a crew member during the crisis. The documentary also highlights the final assault carried out by Pakistan’s Special Service Group, which successfully stormed the plane and apprehended all hijackers, with no loss of life reported.
The Documentary: Aitzaz Hasan: Shaheed-e-Pakistan
On the morning of 6 January 2014, Aitzaz Hasan Bangash left his home in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and walked to school.
Hangu lies near Pakistan’s former tribal frontier, a region that experienced years of violence during the country’s conflict with militant groups.
As the boys approached Ibrahimzai Government High School, they noticed a young boy standing nearby wearing a shawl. The stranger was slowly making his way to their school. Something felt wrong.
While other students nearby began stepping back, Aitzaz stepped forward.
Realizing the man was carrying explosives, Aitzaz confronted him and attempted to stop him from entering the school, where about 400 students had gathered for morning assembly. During the struggle that followed, the attacker detonated his suicide vest.
Aitzaz Hasan and the bomber died at the scene.
Because of his actions, the attacker never reached the school building. Hundreds of students inside survived.
At just fifteen years old, Aitzaz made a decision that changed the course of that morning. Unarmed and without hesitation, he placed himself between a suicide bomber and his school.
In recognition of his bravery, Aitzaz Hasan was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Shujaat, Pakistan’s highest civilian award for bravery.
Rava Documentary Films hopes to ensure that his story continues to be remembered.
The documentary Aitzaz Hasan: Shaheed-e-Pakistan tells the events of that day, explores the broader context of Taliban violence in the region, and speaks with individuals who witnessed the tragedy and its aftermath.
More importantly, it tells the story of the young boy behind the headlines, a student, a son, and a brother whose courage saved hundreds of lives.
Documentary Release and Screening Event at the Arts Council
Aitzaz Hasan: Shaheed-e-Pakistan has been released on the Rava Documentary Films YouTube channel, allowing audiences across Pakistan and around the world to watch and remember his story.
To honor Aitzaz Hasan’s life and sacrifice, Rava Documentary Films will also host a special tribute screening event.
Venue: Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi
Date: Saturday, 25 April 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:45 PM
The event is expected to bring together members of the public, media representatives, and individuals connected to the story to collectively pay tribute to one of Pakistan’s youngest national heroes.
Through this documentary and the screening event, Rava Documentary Films hopes to ensure that the courage of Aitzaz Hasan continues to inspire generations to come.
Will you be attending the event?
