Nadira was discoved by famous Moula Jatt fame director Younis Malik, who had some tussle with box office demand heroine Anjuman. He accepted the challenge and found Neeli and Nadira from Heera Mandi. He introduced them in his mega hit film Akhri Jang in 1986. But her film Nishan was released before this film.
Nadira was only the second actress in Pakistan after Shammi, who appeared in the title role as her own name - Nadira (1991). Her pair was popular with Sultan Rahi, Ghulam Mohayyuddin and Ismael Shah.
Nadira was killed by an unknown gunman on August 6, 1995 in Lahore.