The Pakistani music industry is full of talented singers who have created a unique and special sounds over the years and represented Pakistani music locally and internationally. Ranging from traditional folks to soulful ghazals, modern pop, and rock music, they have sung that all. In this article we are going to feature 12 important Pakistani singers who have made a great impact on music and their voices have become well-known and loved by many people, helping to shape Pakistan’s musical identity and leaving a lasting legacy. We will divide the article in two categories. One with the signers who are still present among us and entertaining audiences with their beautiful voices and the others who have been passed away leaving their legacy behind.
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Influential Pakistani Singers Who Have Passed Away
This section honors the legacy of singers who have left us but whose contributions continue to resonate in the music industry. Their unforgettable performances and influence still inspire new generations.
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on October 13, 1948, in Lyallpur, Punjab, but unfortunately, he is not among us anymore. He died on August 16, 1997, in London, England. Famously known as “Shahenshah-e-Qawwali” who introduced Qawali music to international level, and the fourth greatest singer of all time as his was capable to perform for extended periods of time with remarkable intensity. The first public performance as the leader of qawwali party “Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mujahid Mubarak Ali Khan & Party “was organized by Radio Pakistan at a studio recording broadcast known as Jashn-e-Baharan.In 1985, Khan showcased his talent in London, as a first international performance. In 1985 and 1988 he performed in Paris. His success continued as he performed at the 5th Asian Traditional Performing Art Festival in Japan. He remained ill for several months but at last he faced sudden cardiac arrest on Augusts 16, 1997 at the age of 48 and buried in Jhang Road Graveyard in Faisalabad.
Greatest Ever Hits by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Some of the most famous songs by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are listed below:
| Date of Birth | October 13, 1948 (Faisalabad, Pakistan) |
| Date of Death | 16 August 1997 (London, England) |
| Genres | Qawwali, Ghazal, Sufi, Folk |
| Awards | UNESCO Music Prize, Grand Prix des Amériques, Grammy nominations |
| Notable Collaborations | Peter Gabriel, Eddie Vedder, Michael Brook |
| Notable Title | Shahenshah-e-Qawwali |
| Wife | Naheed Nusrat |
| First Major Hit | Haq Ali Ali |
Nazia Hassan
Nazia Hassan, famously known as Queen of South Asian Pop, was born on 3 April 1965. Being considered as one of the most prominent singers in Pakistan and abroad together with her brother Zoheb Hassan, as part of the duo Nazia and Zoheb, they sold over 65 million records worldwide. Nazia Hassan debuted with “Aap Jaisa Koi” in the 1980 Indian film Qurbani, earning acclaim and a Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer at age 15, making her the youngest recipient and the first Pakistani to win the award. Her first album, Disco Deewane (1981), was an international success, charting in fourteen countries, which marked her entry into the British charts. Her personal life was full of pain and tragedies and she ended up with unsuccessful marriage, got divorced right before 3 months of her death and died because of Lung cancer.
Greatest Ever Hits by Nazia Hassan
Some of the major hits by Nazia Hassan includes:
| Born on | 3 April 1965 in Karachi |
| Died on | 13 August 2000 in London |
| Buried at | Hendon Cemetery and Crematorium, London |
| Alma Mater | Richmond American University London (BA) University of London (LL.B) |
| Notable Title | Queen of South Asian Pop |
| Albums | Pop, Disco |
| Awards | Filmfare Award, Pride of Performance, Nigar Award, PTV Silver Jubilee Award |
Madam Noor Jehan
Noor Jehan, born on September 21, 1926, in Kasur, Punjab, British India, emerged as a defining figure in the music and film industry of the Indian subcontinent. She is famously known as Malika-e-Tarannum. Her career, spanning over six decades, left an indelible mark on South Asian entertainment. Sadly, she is no longer with us. Noor Jehan passed away on December 23, 2000, due to heart failure. Her death was deeply mourned, and her contributions to music and film continue to be celebrated and remembered with great admiration.In 2000 she remained hospitalized and faced chronic kidney disease and on 23 December at the night of 27 Ramadan she died because of the heart failure. Now she is buried in Gizri Graveyard, Karachi.
Greatest Ever Hits by Madam Noor Jehan
Some of the major hits by Noor Jahan includes:
| Born on | 21 September 1926 in Kausar Punjab, British India |
| Died on | 23 December 2000 in Karachi |
| Notable Title | Malika-e-Tarannum (Queen of Melody) |
| Major Films in India | Khandaan (1942), Jugnu (1947), Mirza Sahiban (1947) |
| Major Films in Pakistan | Chan Wey (1951), Dupatta (1952), Baaji (1963) |
| Last Film | Baaji (1963) |
| Famous Album | Tarannum, Vol.1 (Noor Jehan) |
Mehdi Hassan
Mehdi Hassan Khan, born on 18 July, 1927, comes 5th in our list of most influential singers in the history of Pakistan. He is also known as “Shahenshah-e-Ghazal” spreading this unique genre to the international audience. From the beginning of his childhood, he was attracted towards music and during all the career he received many awards and nominations for all the songs he performed for the audience. Mehdi sang for more than 300 films and is known for his extraordinary voice potential. The partition of India in 1947 brought immense challenges as Mehdi and his family relocated to Pakistan, carrying with them only their musical legacy and hopes. After settling they faced many financial crises. In 1952, Mehdi voice graced Radio Pakistan
Greatest Ever Hits by Mehdi Hassan
Some of the major hits by Mehdi Hassan includes:
| Born on | 18 July 1927 |
| Died On | 13 June 2012 |
| Notable Title | Shahenshah-e-Ghazal (Emperor of Ghazal) |
| Notable Songs | “Gulon Mein Rang Bhare” (Farangi, 1964), “Tera Milna” (with Lata Mangeshkar, 2010) |
| Awards and Honors | -Pride of Performance: 1985 Hilal-e-Imtiaz: 2010 Nishan-e-Imtiaz: 2012 K.L. Saigal Award (India): 1979 Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (Nepal): 1983 Nigar Awards (Various years) |
| Website | mehdihassan.com |
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Ahmed Rushdi
Ahmed Rushdi was born on 24 April, 1934 in Hyderabad. His journey began in a conservative family with no musical background. His father passed away when Ahmed was just six. He recorded a hit song for Radio Pakistan show “Bunder Road se Keemari” in 1951, gained a lot of recognition for his remarkable voice. Ahmed’s song “Ko Ko Korina” is considered as South Asia’s first pop song, it established him a renowned figure and leading playback singer in Pakistani cinema. In 1954, he also recorded Pakistan’s official national anthem. On April 11, 1983 he passed away from a heart attack at the age of 48. His passing was a great loss to the music world, and his influence endured long after his death.
Greatest Ever Hits by Ahmed Rushdi
Some of the major hits by Ahmed Rushdi includes:
| Born On | 24 April, 1934 in Hyderabad. |
| Died On | 11 April 1983 in Karachi |
| Genres | Playback, Pop, Ghazal, Qawwali, Folk, Comedy, Tragedy, Patriotic |
| Sitara-e-Imtiaz | Awarded in 2003 by President Pervez Musharraf for distinguished merit in arts |
| Legacy | Known as “Magician of Voice”, influential in South Asian music, impacted Indian and Bangladeshi music industries |
| Languages | Urdu, English, Punjabi, Bengali, Sindhi, Gujarati |
| Famous Album | Jab Pyar mein |
Reshma
In the vibrant world of South Asian Music, few voices have resonated as powerfully as that of Reshma, a legendary folk singer. She was born in Banjara Community of Rajasthan in 1947. Following the partition of India, her family moved to Karachi, when she was just one year old. At the age of 12, Saleem Gilani discovered her and recorded “Laal Meri Pat Rakhio” in her voice for Radio Pakistan in 1968. This initial recording pushed her to instant fame. She contributed significantly to both Pakistani and Indian cinema. Her contributions were recognized with numerous awards and nominations including the the prestigious Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) in 2008 and the Pride of Performance Award in 1982.
Greatest Ever Hits by Reshma
Some of the major hits by Reshma includes:
| Born in | 1947, Rajasthan |
| Died On | 3 November 2013 in Lahore |
| Genres | Folk, Ghazal |
| Famous Songs | “Laal Meri”, “Hai O Rabba Nahion Lagda Dil Mera”, “Ankhiyan Nu Rehen De”, “Lambi Judai”, “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar” |
| Notable Awards | Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence), 2008 Pride of Performance Award, 1982 Best Singer Award at PTV Awards, 2000 |
| Final Residence | Ichhra, Lahore, Pakistan |
| Famous Album | Hai Rabba |
Ustad Amanat Ali Khan
Ustad Amanat Ali Khan was born in 1922 in Hoshiarpur. His father, Ustad Akhtar Hussain Khan was a vocalist and his grandfather, Ali Baksh Jarnail, was one of the gharana’s founders. He and his brother public debut came in 1945 in Lahore where their performance was sponsored by Pandit Jeevanlal Matoo, marked as the beginning of their journey. Ustad Amanat Ali Khan’s career flourished on both Radio Pakistan and PTV. Amanat Ali’s patriotism was evident in his numerous songs dedicated to Pakistan, such as “Chand Meri Zameen Phool Mera Watan” and “Aye Watan Pyare Watan.” Amanat Ali died due to a ruptured appendix at the age of 52, leaving behind a rich legacy.
Greatest Ever Hits by Ustad Amanat Ali Khan
Some of the major hits by Ustad Amanat Ali Khan includes:
| Birth Year | 1922 |
| Death Date | 18 September 1974 |
| Genres | Khayal, Thumri, Ghazal |
| Key Performances | Debut in Lahore (1945), All Bengal Music Conference in Kolkata (1949) |
| Awards | Pride of Performance by the President of Pakistan (1969) |
| Burial Place | Mominpura Graveyard near Lakshmi Chowk, Lahore |
| Famous poetry | Ye arzu |
Alam Lohar
One of Pakistan’s most iconic folk singers, Alam Lohar was born in 1928. His journey into the music began by the age of 13, when he recorded his first album and that quickly gained popularity. Songs like “Heer Waris Shah” and “Saif-ul-Malook” became very popular, resonating deeply with the people of Punjab. Throughout his career, Alam Lohar achieved remarkable success. He was awarded 15 Gold Disc LPs for his albums, including hits like “Jugni” (1965), “Saif ul Mulook” (1948), and “Bol Mitti de Bawa” (1964). Alam’s fame was not limited to Pakistan. In the 1970s, he began touring internationally, bringing his vibrant performances to South Asian communities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, the United States, and Germany
Greatest Ever Hits by Alam Lohar
Some of the major hits by Alam Lohar includes:
| Born in | 1928 in Achh |
| Genres | Punjabi folk music, Sufi music |
| Death Date | 3 July 1979 |
| Burial Place | Lalamusa, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Awards | Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1979 |
| Famous | Folk hit songs |
Junaid Jamshed
Junaid Jamshed was born on on September 3, 1964 in Karachi. Born to a Khattak Pathan family, Junaid’s father, Jamshed Akbar Khan, served as a group captain in the Pakistan Air Force, while his mother, Nafeesa Akbar Khan, was the granddaughter of the nawab of Loharu State. His debut album, “Vital Signs 1,” was released in 1987.Despite of the successful music career she was enjoying see what happened next. In 2004, he made a life-changing decision to leave both his engineering and music careers behind to dedicate himself to Islam. On December 7, 2016, Junaid and his wife were aboard PIA Flight 661, which crashed enroute to Islamabad from Chitral. They were returning from a Tablighi Jamaat mission. Junaid Jamshed’s life was a journey of passion, faith, and transformation.
Greatest Ever Hits by Junaid Jamshed
Some of the major hits by Junaid Jamshed includes:
| Born on | 3 September 1964 |
| Died On | 7 December 2016 |
| Buried in | Jamia Darul Uloom, Karachi |
| Music Career | With Vital Signs: 1987: Vital Signs 1 1991: Vital Signs 2 1993: Aitebar 1995: Hum Tum Solo Career: 1994: Junaid of Vital Signs (renamed Tumhara Aur Mera Naam) 1999: Us Rah Par 2000: The Best of Junaid Jamshed 2001: Dil Ki Baat |
| Brand Name | J. |
| Notable Accreditations | Listed in The Muslim 500 as one of the “World’s Most Influential Muslims” for his charity work |
| Famous | Dil Dil Pakistan |
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Influential Pakistani Singers Who Are Still Alive
Here, we celebrate the living legends who continue to shape and enrich the Pakistani music scene.
Abida Parveen
In the heart of Larkana, Sindh, on a February day in 1954, a girl named Abida Parveen was born. She is the daughter of Ustad Ghulam Haider who initially trained her and at the age of three, she was already performing complete Kalams. As she grew, her father nurtured her talent with dedication and love and further solidified her foundation. Her major journey began in early 1970s and got attention with her performance on Radio Pakistan. Followed by “Tuhinje zulfan jay band kamand widha” she was officially introduced as singer on Radio Pakistan. Her breakthrough came in 1980 with her performance on Sultana Siddiqui’s “Awaz-o-Andaz,” where she brought Sufi music to a wider audience, presenting it with a new identity.
Greatest Ever Hits by Abida Parveen
Some of the major hits by Abida Parveen includes:
| Born on | 20 February, 1954 in Larkana |
| Genres | Sufi Music, Ghazals, Thumri, Khyal, Qawwali, Raga (Raag), Sufi Rock, Classical, Semi-Classical |
| Languages Sung | Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Arabic, Persian, Nepali |
| Notable Title | Living legend of Pakistan Queen of Sufi music |
| Website | abidaparveen.com.pk |
| Awards | Pride of Performance Award (1984) Sitara-e-Imtiaz (2005) Hilal-e-Imtiaz (2012) Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2021) Various other awards including international recognitions |
Farida Khanum
Farida Khanum, also known as Malika-e-Ghazal, was born on 16 May 1929 in Kolkata, West Begal. From an early age her musical journey was guided by her sister Mukhtar Begum, who is a renowned singer in her own right. Their family moved from Amritsar to Lahore, Pakistan when Farida was just 18. At the age of 21, Farida khanum made her public debut in 1950, which marks the start of her remarkable career. She joined Radio Station Pakistan where her talent quickly gathered attention of audience. The turning point in her career came when President Ayub Khan invited her to perform publicly in the 1960s. Farida Khanum remains a cherished personality, celebrated not only for her contributions to music industry but also for her role in shaping the landscape of South Asia.
Greatest Ever Hits by Farida Khanum
Some of the major hits by Farida Khanum includes:
| Born On | 16 May 1929 |
| Genres | Ghazal, Khayal, Thumri, Dadra |
| Signature Ghazal | Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Naa Karo |
| International Performances | Performed in India and Kabul, Afghanistan |
| Sibling | Mukhtar Begum (sister) |
| Awards | Pride of Performance (1970) Hilal-i-Imtiaz (2005) |
Ustad Ghulam Ali
Ghulam Ali was born on December 5, 1940. From an early age, he was surrounded by the melodies of classical music. As a teenager, Ghulam Ali had the rare opportunity to meet his idol, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, who was passing through Kabul on his way back to India. His iconic ghazals like “Chupke Chupke Raat Din,” “Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi,” and “Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa” became timeless classics. In 2015, political tensions led to the cancellation of his concert in Mumbai. He continued to perform in other cities across India, reaffirming his commitment to his art and talent. In recognition of his contributions, Ghulam Ali received numerous awards, including the Bade Ghulam Ali Khan award and the Swaralaya Global Legend Award.
Greatest Ever Hits by Ustad Ghulam Ali
Some of the major hits by Ustad Ghulam Ali includes:
| Date of Birth | December 5, 1940 in Lahore |
| Genres | Ghazal, Hindustani classical music |
| Prominent Teachers | Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Barkat Ali Khan, Mubarak Ali Khan |
| Debut in Bollywood | 1982, with the song “Chupke Chupke Raat Din” in the film “Nikaah” |
| Famous Collaborations | Asha Bhosle |
| Personal Life | Married to Afsana Ali, has a daughter named Manjari Ghulam Ali |
| Famous Album | Yeh Dil Yeh Pagal Dil |
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12 Iconic Pakistani Singers Who Redefined Music
Uncover the stories behind the music that has resonated with audiences both locally and globally
| Sr. | Singer Name | Living Status |
| 1 | Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | Died |
| 2 | Nazia Hassan | Died |
| 3 | Abida Parveen | Alive |
| 4 | Madam Noor Jehan | Died |
| 5 | Mehdi Hassan | Died |
| 6 | Ahmed Rushdi | Died |
| 7 | Farida Khanum | Alive |
| 8 | Reshma | Died |
| 9 | Ustad Amanat Ali Khan | Died |
| 10 | Alam Lohar | Died |
| 11 | Ustad Ghulam Ali | Alive |
| 12 | Junaid Jamshed | Died |
Final Notice
In summary, these twelve influential Pakistani singers have left a lasting impact on the Pakistani music industry. Their unique styles and memorable songs have shaped the sound of Pakistani music and influenced fans both locally and internationally. Their legacy highlights the power of music to connect people and celebrate culture, ensuring their place in the hearts of many for years to come.
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