Geo TV to air Pakistan Idol 2.0 ahead of other TV channels and streaming platforms
In a significant development for Pakistan’s entertainment industry, Pakistan Idol is making its long-awaited return through a high-profile partnership between MHL Global and Fremantle, the powerhouse behind the Idol franchise.
Pakistan Idol 2.0 is set to launch nationally, with the announcement made on Pakistan’s top entertainment channel, Geo TV, sparking a surge of excitement among the youth across various social media platforms.
Geo TV, known for blockbuster hits like Khuda Kay Liye, Bol, The Glassworker, and The Legend of Maula Jatt, will air the competition first ahead of all other channels and streaming platforms — setting the stage for a nationwide celebration of musical talent.
The upcoming season of Pakistan Idol will feature an all-new judging panel, which includes some of the most influential figures in the country’s music scene.
With a refreshed format and broader vision, this season — produced under licence from Fremantle and helmed locally by MHL Global — aims to uncover the next generation of musical stars while offering world-class mentorship and nationwide exposure.
Judging this new season are four of Pakistan’s most celebrated artists: Fawad Khan (actor, musician, and cultural icon), Zeb Bangash (folk-fusion pioneer, songwriter, and acclaimed vocalist), Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (renowned qawwal, classical, and playback singer), and Bilal Maqsood (creative force behind the now-disbanded Strings, former Coke Studio executive producer, creator of Velo Sound Station, music director, and singer-songwriter).
Together, this panel combines extensive experience and diversity, providing contestants and viewers with insightful critique and guidance while remaining the heart of the show.
“Our partnership with Fremantle on Pakistan Idol marks a major step forward for Pakistan’s creative and entertainment industries,” said Zoya Merchant, Director of MHL Global. “This launch represents more than entertainment — it’s a cultural movement. Pakistan has incredible musical talent, and this platform will not only spotlight it nationwide but elevate it to the global stage.”
Audiences can expect live performance rounds, themed competition nights, behind-the-scenes digital content, and a multi-platform voting experience. Auditions are now officially open through the online platform Begin, with on-ground auditions scheduled to take place later this month across major cities as well as remote regions. Schedules for audition cities are now available online, with broadcast details and premiere dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
If you’re wondering why this season of Pakistan Idol is a second season or a reboot, it’s because this is technically not a debut season. The iconic music competition first aired in 2013-2014 with a different set of judges, rules, and overall production value in an exclusive deal with Geo TV.
Ali Azmat, Hadiqa Kiani, and Bushra Ansari were brought in as judges — each bringing their distinct musical perspective to the competition. The first season ran until April 2014, drawing thousands of aspiring singers from across the country, including regions such as Swat, Hunza Valley and Nawabshah among many others. After a competitive journey that included golden tickets, theatre rounds, semifinals, and public voting, Zamad Baig was crowned the winner in a finale reportedly receiving over a million votes.
Afusic’s blazing glory
We love our living legends and miss the ones who are no longer with us. Both live in our memories through their incredible talent. We love different genres, and some of us find all music equally fascinating. But what must be remembered is that music is never about one artist. Some remain popular for decades, some rise to the top and slowly slip, while others blaze a path few can maintain. The point is one: music (and by proxy, musicians) are always emerging, and the name that’s popping up in music right now is Afusic.
Spotify has named Afusic as RADAR Pakistan Artist for Q3 2025. This spotlight marks a pivotal moment in the rising trajectory of Affan Khan, known professionally as Afusic, whose viral hit ‘Pal Pal’ continues to amass streams and playlist placements on Spotify.
Since entering the local music conversation in 2020, Afusic has cultivated a sound that fuses South Asian melodies with contemporary hip-hop and pop. A case can be made that his music is reaching audiences everywhere, according to data from Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming platform.
With over 440,000 per cent growth in streams since February — when he first appeared on Spotify’s Fresh Finds Pakistan playlist — Afusic has rapidly emerged as one of Pakistan’s most promising musical voices. Since April 2025, Afusic’s audience has grown by more than 1,200 per cent, according to Spotify’s streaming data. His songs have appeared in nearly 270,000 playlists globally, indicating his growing international appeal. The data also shows a clear demographic trend: Afusic’s music resonates most with younger listeners aged 18–24, followed closely by the 25–34 age group, with a 60/40 split between male and female fans.
“Being selected as Spotify’s RADAR Pakistan artist is a huge milestone for me,” said Afusic. “RADAR is such an incredible platform — it gives independent artists like me the chance to reach new listeners and helps fans connect with the person behind the music. I’m truly grateful for the support Spotify has shown. Watching ‘Pal Pal’ rise from Fresh Finds to Hot Hits Pakistan demonstrates how powerful this journey can be,” he said.
According to Spotify’s press statement, “RADAR is Spotify’s global emerging artist programme, designed to elevate new voices through strategic marketing, prominent editorial support, and curated opportunities that connect artists with fans both on and off the platform.”
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy reveals the 2025 Fellows for the seventh edition of Patakha Pictures – Stories She Tells
Two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has announced the eight fellows for the 2025 edition of Stories She Tells, a six-month documentary mentorship and funding programme under her initiative, Patakha Pictures, in collaboration with the Scottish Documentary Institute and the British Council. The programme will support four filmmaker pairs from Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan in creating women-led short documentaries exploring resilience through empowerment, music and culture, and climate change.
Over six months, the fellows will receive mentorship, funding, and training in story-telling, direction, sound design, and editing, culminating in a premiere of their films at a closing event in Karachi. Selected Fellows for Stories She Tells are: Faryal Diwan & Syeda Abqurah Shaukat, from Karachi, Sindh; Maryam Missal & Mahjabeen Abid, from Multan, Punjab; Mehrosh Alam & Sana Hussain, from Punjab & Khyber Pakhtun-khwa; and Fizza Kanwal & Sumbal Khokhar from Quetta, Balochistan.
“With every edition of Patakha Pictures, we’re investing in the future of storytelling by supporting young women who are dis-covering their creative voice through film. Stories She Tells is not just a mentorship programme but our commitment to arts funding and to creating a safe space where emerging filmmakers can take risks, experi-ment, and grow. These eight fellows are a powerful reminder of the talent and imagination that exists across Pakistan,” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Since its launch in 2022, Patakha Pictures has supported 61 filmmakers, won more than 20 awards, and screened at over 50 film festivals worldwide, including New York, Seoul, Montreal, Milan, Karachi, and Canberra.
“We’re excited to see such a dynamic and promising partnership selected for this edition. The concept notes submitted by these eight women reflect both creativity and deep engagement with important topics. We look forward to supporting their learning journeys and seeing their stories come to life through powerful, thoughtful filmmaking,” said Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director Pakistan, British Council.
Patakha Pictures is an initiative of SOC (S