Humaira Arshad honoured for service to Pakistani music

Singer to receive prize for her services to music industry at a ceremony in London

LAHORE: In recognition of her services to Pakistan’s cultural identity, singer Humaira Arshad is to receive the Pakistan Achievement Award at a ceremony on November 14 in London. The event has been put together by Pakistan Achievement Awards UK and Europe. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Arshad said the award is a result of her commitment to her work and struggle throughout her singing career.

Arshad and her family have been invited to the event and the South Asian Media Management has also organised a ceremony in Lahore to celebrate her nomination. Several film stars were present on the occasion. Arshad said she has seen a lot of troubled times and remained steadfast in the face of adversity. “Despite everything, I did not call it quits and continued to strive.”

Pakistan Achievement Awards UK and Europe has been hosting the event for the last six years and every year, the organisation gives out awards to Pakistani artists who have shouldered the entertainment industry over the years.

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The organisation’s chairman, Attaul Haq, said, “Arshad was selected by our advisory board purely on merit. She has thousands of fans both in Pakistan and abroad and it’s important to honour stars such as her.” He said the purpose of giving out these awards is to acknowledge the efforts of the recipients on an international level.

Arshad has enjoyed a longstanding stint in the industry. She started off as an actor and made her debut in the hit PTV fantasy serial Ainak Wala Jin. She started singing at an early age and even remained in the tutelage of iconic qawwal Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, whom she considers as her idol and inspiration. Having released two studio albums, she has lent her voice for songs in numerous Urdu and Punjabi films.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2015.

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