The famous content creator, youtuber, vlogger, podcaster and comedian Junaid Akram was born and brought up in Karachi and has spent most of his life in the metropolitan city of Karachi.
School Life (Early Education):
Belonging to a middle-class family, Junaid Akram went to NASRA School near Soldier Bazaar, Karachi till his matriculation or 10th Grade. He got above-average grades in his matriculation exams (9th and 10th Grade).
Junaid Akram then got admitted into ‘Government College for Men’ in Nazimabad, Karachi where he did his pre-engineering F.Sc (11th and 12th Grade).
How the word ‘GANJI SWAG’ came into being?
So, the story starts from Junaid Akram’s days of youth when girlfriend of a childhood friend of Junaid Akram used to call Junaid Akram by the nickname ‘Ganji Man’. The comedian, in his comeback, used to claim that “I’ve more swag than your boyfriend.”
Then months passed, and in the year 2013, Junaid Akram was creating his profile on the social media platform Instagram. Just when Junaid Akram was confused about the the probable name on Insta, his friend jokingly said, “Why don’t you make it Ganji Swag?” And here we go. Ganji Swag became official.
Junaid Akram in an interview in 2023 said, “It was a joke that carried along. And then the name became a brand!” #ganjiswag
Financial Hurdles and Jobs
Due to the twists and turns of life and a middle-class family background, Junaid Akram, who is currently a household name in Karachi and Pakistan, had to start working very early in his life. Starting from giving tuitions to his cousins, Junaid also worked at a restaurant in Gulshan, Karachi in multiple capacities.
Then, he also started doing medical transcriptions, which according to Junaid Akram was, “…a very high paying industry back in the years around 2004.”
Had to Leave Education?
Due to a bad financial situation and less time after doing jobs, Junaid Akram had to discontinue formal education for a longer period of time.
But then he decided that he at least needs to have a graduation degree. Junaid in an interview talking about his graduation journey said, “Those were the same times when the rule of having a B.A (graduation) degree became compulsory to run for elections in Pakistan.” So, he did B.A private in Economics.
Failed M.Phil. Attempt!
After his B. A, he also attempted to do an M. PHIL from MAJU (Muhammad Ali Jinnah University). But he left it incomplete or half-done after a while as he, “lost motivation because when someone starts to earn early, they lost motivation to (continue) regular (theoretical) studies.” (Junaid Akram)
7 JOBS at Once
To meet finances and undergo responsibilities, Junaid Akram was once doing 7 jobs at a time.
“I needed the money, I needed to fund my family then.”
Junaid Akram
So, the company where Junaid Akram was originally working as a Medical Transcriptionist broke into five separate daughter companies. And Junaid offered to work for all of them in different capacities.
“It wasn’t easy at all (doing 7 jobs). With irregular electricity loadshedding, internet breakdowns and other Karachi problems; I was always running here and there to internet cafes, home, and market (to complete the tasks).”
Junaid Akram
Junaid’s Unique Passion
Junaid Akram had a, “passion of not being poor.” With an eagerness to leave the middle-class loop asap, Junaid always wanted to excel in his career and pursue his goals and life interests.
| Real Name | Junaid Akram |
| Profession: | Content Creator |
| Age (till 2023) | 40 Years Old |
| Date of Birth: | 18 July |
| Birth Year: | 1983 |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Hometown: | Karachi |
| Nationality: | Pakistani |
| Spouse Name: | Misbah Ahmed |
Dubai Yatra of Junaid Akram
After he saw his field of medical transcription in doldrums, Junaid Akram moved to Dubai after leaving his job/s in Karachi. He led a hard life in Dubai too because of the financial constraints.
Junaid lived in public places, over-crowded hostels and many times, had to survive on single meals a day. When he moved to Dubai, he also continued his stand-up comedy skits as a side-hustle. With time and gaining popularity, he started taking it more seriously and eventually also started a YouTube channel with the help of his friends.
The YouTube Journey
While his stay in Dubai, Junaid Akram created his YouTube channel in the year 2015. His first video was titled, ‘White People vs Brown People’, where he and his English friend Sam share their takes on the difference of white and desi culture in a funny and satirical way.
Current YouTube Channels
- Junaid Akram
- Ask Ganji Swag
- Junaid Akram Shorts
- Brain Massage
- Ganji Gaming
- Junaid Akram Clips
- Nom Quom – The Food Channel
#MeToo Allegations
During the times of #MeToo movement in 2018, numerous women online alleged the vlogger and content creator Junaid Akram of sexual harassment, online bullying, vulgar messages and lying about his marital status.
Express Tribune on October 11, 2018, published a detailed news story on the allegations with testimonials of the vicim women. Talking to Tribune, the podcaster Junaid Akram denied all the alleged claims of harassment and messaging and called them ‘FAKE’.
Junaid’s Marriage Story?
Junaid Akram is not a bachelor anymore and is happily married. He started his happy married life with his wife, Misbah Ahmed, at The Langham London’s venue on May 1st, 2016. They both have a son named Hashim Akram. Junaid Akram’s wife and son also accompany him in his most international travels now.
PODCAST Pioneer in Pakistan
Currently the most popular format of digital media in Pakistan is PODCASTS. But do you know that Junaid Akram is one of the pioneers of Pakistani podcasts?
He recorded his first long-form podcast in the year 2018 with Faisal Siddiqui over the issue of private school education in Pakistan.
Till now, he has about 150+ podcast products over the diverse topics ranging from society, culture, crime, city-life, business and finance to news and politics, sports and productivity.
Read all about Karachi at www.yourkarachi.com (City’s first digital magazine)
‘KHALLI KARAO’ Mantra:
Junaid Akram’s famous tagline that got really popular among the young millennials and gen-z audiences is ‘Khalli Karao’ which means to believe in the power of letting go in life and learning the habit of not stressing over unnecessary things in life. This stoic mantra has not only the perfect Karachi touch and flavor to it but that’s the Karachi wisdom we Karachiites live every day.