Pakistani singer Humaira Arshad has publicly criticised actor and singer Fawad Khan’s appointment as a judge on the music competition show Pakistan Idol. Speaking on a television programme, she stated that individuals who lack a strong background in music should not be elevated to adjudicate singing contests.
Arshad raised concerns that the show’s judging panel, which also includes prominent singers such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Bilal Maqsood, now features Fawad Khan who is primarily known for his acting career as a judge, despite not being significantly rooted in the music industry. She said, “It’s not the first time that people who have no connection with music are sitting as judges should be ashamed.”
She further explained her standpoint with an analogy: “If I, a singer, go to an engineer and start advising him on structural work, I should feel ashamed. That’s exactly how a non-musician becomes a judge on our music show and makes a mockery of the process.”
The discussion unfolds as Pakistan Idol returns for its second season, featuring new hopeful vocalists across the country presenting their talent and ambition on the national stage.
The remarks by Arshad spark broader debate in Pakistan’s entertainment industry about the selection criteria for judges on music shows and whether celebrity status alone should qualify one to pass professional judgement on musical performance.
