Pakistani singers Meesha Shafi and Arooj Aftab have submitted their latest works for consideration in the 2026 Grammy Awards, marking another milestone for the country's expanding presence in international music.
Shafi confirmed on Instagram that her 2025 album 'Khilnay Ko' has been entered for three categories - Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical).
The record, released on April 18 and available on major streaming platforms, comprises 11 tracks and blends alternative and electronic elements with Urdu and English lyrics.
During its release, Shafi described 'Khilnay Ko' as an exploration of self and personal growth. The title, which translates roughly as 'For Blooming', reflects the album's theme of transformation.
Aftab, meanwhile, has submitted the Khruangbin remix of 'Raat Ki Rani' for Best Remixed Recording. The collaboration reimagines the original version of the song, released in 2024, and continues her partnership with international artists following earlier projects that merged jazz, classical, and electronic influences.
Aftab made history in 2022 when she became the first Pakistani to win a Grammy, earning Best Global Music Performance for 'Mohabbat'. She has since been a consistent presence in the awards' global categories.
According to Billboard's latest Grammy preview, the 2026 competition has drawn thousands of entries across categories, including more than 500 in the Global Music section alone. The Recording Academy's rulebook requires each category to have at least 40 eligible submissions to proceed to the nomination stage.
This year's Grammys introduce additional fields, such as Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, bringing the total number of categories to 95. The first round of voting closes on 15 October, nominations will be announced on 7 November, and winners revealed at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on 1 February 2026.
Both Shafi and Aftab's entries signal the increasing international visibility of independent Pakistani musicians who are releasing work outside mainstream commercial frameworks.
Their submissions contribute to a growing trend of South Asian artists being recognised in major global music platforms. And the streaming data further supports this shift.
According to Spotify's 2025 artist analytics, Pakistani independent musicians have seen a 27% rise in global streams compared to the previous year, with significant listener bases emerging in North America, the UK, and the Middle East.
YouTube Music data reflects similar growth, showing a steady increase in Pakistani acts appearing on Billboard Global Excl US charts since 2023.
As the Grammy process continues, Pakistani musicians' participation reflects a broader change in the country's cultural exports - from traditional genres to contemporary and cross-border collaborations that are finding audiences worldwide.
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