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KARACHI: Aspiring vocalists from across Pakistan lined up to chase stardom as Pakistan Idol returned to the country after a 12-year hiatus with a star-studded jury, wider reach, and a renewed promise to spotlight the country’s untapped musical talent.

Pakistan Idol is part of the global ‘Idol’ franchise, a reality television singing competition format created by British producer Simon Fuller and developed by British firm, Fremantle Limited, which also owns non-scripted formats like Got Talent and The X Factor.

The MHL Global production company, which secured rights for Pakistan Idol 2025 from Fremantle, last month announced that Badar Ikram will produce the show, with Fawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, former Strings band mate Bilal Maqsood and Zeb Bangash as judges.

The first episode of the show went on air on Oct. 4, followed by the second on Oct. 5., broadcast on seven Pakistani TV channels simultaneously.

“Pakistani talent is our real asset. If we don’t provide them with our platform, then it would be an unfair thing,” Rahat Fateh Ali Khan told Arab News, on the sidelines of the auditions in Karachi.

“It isn’t a good thing that the show has come back after 12 years but the best part is that we have come fully prepared this time.”

Ikram said producing the show is “an honor and a responsibility” for him.

“We are determined to deliver a show that reflects the passion, diversity, and raw talent of Pakistan,” he said in a statement prior to airing of the first episode.

“From auditions to the grand stage, our team is working tirelessly to ensure the audience experiences the magic of music and storytelling at a truly global standard.”

The first edition of Pakistan Idol aired in Dec. 2013, featuring Bushra Ansari, Hadiqa Kiani and Ali Azmat as judges.

Auditions of participants from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and Sukkur are being aired since Saturday, Oct. 4, trying to make it to the top 30 contestants that will eventually lead to 16 finalists on the show.

Maham Tahir, who hails from the Rahim Yar Khan district, said her audition experience was “really good” and she found the judges to be “kind.”

“[Platforms like Pakistan Idol] are very important for us. Singers like myself, who aren’t valued in the world on a big level, are valued by platforms like these,” Tahir, a student of Lahore’s GC University who was among the top 30 contestants, told Arab News.

“I am fortunate [to make it to the next round]. It’s a miracle for me.”

Bangash, the only woman on the judges’ panel, said they were also looking for females as much as they were looking for male singers.

“Although, I have to say that there are more contestants that are men,” she said, “but that has nothing to do with the platform. I think, as the seasons keep progressing, we’re going to have more and more interest from women.”

Bangash shared they were judging the performances based on a number of things.

“We are trying to be as transparent as we can but at the end of the day, I say that judging music is an interesting idea to begin with because it’s creative expression,” she said. “So, sometimes, it’s subjective, sometimes it’s just the moment [and] sometimes it’s just the song selection.”

Pakistan Idol Season 2 will also be streamed worldwide via UAE-based platform, Begin, that has secured the rights for the show. Viewers in ������Ƶ, UAE, Canada and the US will be able to watch it on the Begin app. For those based in the UK, Germany, India, Australia, South Africa and Nigeria, the show can be watched directly via begin.watch.

“The international distribution of Pakistan Idol demonstrates how far South Asian entertainment has come in reaching global audiences,” MHL Global Director Zoya Merchant told Arab News.

“We are proud to see a format rooted in local culture and talent become accessible to viewers worldwide. This collaboration with Begin represents an important step toward integrating Pakistani creativity into the broader entertainment ecosystem.”

ISLAMABAD: The administration of Pakistan’s eastern province of Punjab on Saturday announced its decision to establish a Saudi Industrial Estate while offering a 10-year tax exemption to investors from the Kingdom, according to an official statement.

The plan was unveiled during a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and a delegation of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council in Lahore to discuss investment prospects in the province.

The delegation, led by Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud, arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday to hold talks with officials and business leaders to expand bilateral trade and investment ties.

The visit aimed to deepen strategic relations between the two nations following last month’s defense pact signed in Riyadh, under which aggression against either country would be treated as an attack on both.

According to a statement by the Punjab administration’s media wing, the chief minister highlighted business opportunities in the province during a detailed briefing for the delegation.

“She ... announced to establish a special Saudi Industrial Estate in Punjab, where a 10-year income tax exemption and a one-time customs duty exemption will be given to the potential Saudi investors,” the statement said. “A special fast track will also be established in the Chief Minister’s Office for the Saudi Industrial Estate.”

Sharif described the province as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and said her government would welcome Saudi investments across key sectors, including energy, agriculture, mining, tourism and logistics.

During the meeting, the Saudi delegation expressed interest in projects in livestock, mining, infrastructure and IT, according to the statement.

It also said that Prince Mansour praised the Punjab government’s public welfare initiatives.

The chief minister called for the formation of joint working groups between Pakistan and ������Ƶ in priority sectors to boost cooperation.

She said her administration’s policy for investors was one of “no delay and immediate delivery.”