Singer Humaira Arshad has criticized the popular singing competition Pakistan Idol for appointing judges with “no background in music”, calling the move disrespectful to both the art form and deserving musicians who have spent their lives mastering it.
Appearing on a show, Humaira was asked whether the panel of judges on Pakistan Idol, particularly the inclusion of actor Fawad Khan was appropriate. She did not hold back.
“This isn’t the first time Pakistan Idol has appointed judges who have no connection to music,” she said. “Judges should feel ashamed. If you have nothing to do with singing, then don’t take a seat on a show meant to judge singers. Let people who are relevant to the field take that place. They should say ‘If you want to include us, include us properly’ and not just as a gimmick.”
Humaira acknowledged that celebrities often bring in sponsorships and attention, but urged them to decline judging roles they aren’t qualified for. “You’re insulting your own show,” she said.
“What happens when a contestant asks the judge to sing in tune, and the judge can’t respond? Will they say, ‘Give me two months to learn and then I’ll answer you?’”
Sharing her disappointment, the singer recalled a moment from the show where a child’s off-key performance inexplicably moved a judge to tears. “It was funny, honestly,” she remarked.
She lamented the exclusion of true legends from such platforms, naming iconic singers like Taranum Naz, Tasawur Khanum, Ghulam Ali, Saira Naseem, Shabnam Majeed, Saima Jahan, and Azra Jahan, artists who, according to her, rightfully deserve a seat at the judging table.
The singer seemed to be unaware that before becoming a megastar, Fawad was very much part of the music industry.
The heart throb is an actor, producer, screenwriter, songwriter, and singer. Khan served as the lead vocalist of the band called Entity Paradigm (EP), which went on to gain national fame after appearing in the finale of Pepsi Battle of the Bands in 2002. Their debut album Irtiqa, released in 2003, was met with critical acclaim and helped establish Khan as a music icon. The romantic track Rahguzar from the album became especially popular.
EP was not just a band, it was a movement. Before the merger that formed EP, two bands had dominated Lahore’s underground music scene: Ahmed Ali Butt’s Entity and Fawad Khan’s Paradigm. Their collaboration on the Jutt and Bond title track led to the fusion of the two bands into one powerhouse.
Though EP eventually disbanded in 2007, they reunited in 2010 for a special appearance in Coke Studio Season 3, where they performed a cover of Sajjad Ali’s Bolo Bolo. Later that year, they released the single Shor Macha, which quickly became a hit. The song’s music video, directed by Bilal Lashari and featuring Khan, further cemented the band’s legendary status.
According to Khan, he performed in nearly 250 live shows as a musician before leaving the band in 2012 to fully dedicate himself to his acting career. But time and again, Fawad has not only judged music shows but also delivered performances that reminded fans he can sing as well.
