Like rest of the world, Twitter is the second most popular social networking website in Pakistan. From social activists to politician and musicians, everyone holds a twitter handle these days. To find out who is more popular and has a greater reach via Twitter, PakiUM has initiated a series of “10 Most Popular Pakistani on Twitter.” The series will cover Pakistani singers, actors, models and fashion designers.
In this regard, the first list of the series has already been compiled which covers the “10 Most Popular Pakistani Musicians on Twitter.” The list is as follow;
1- Ali Zafar
Twitter handle: @AliZafarsays
Twitter bio: Ki jaana mein kon. (I know not who i am)
About Ali Zafar: A Painter turned Model, later a Model started singing and lastly a Singer who became an Actor, the sensation Ali Zafar is the most popular Pakistan singer on Twitter. Ali studied at National College of Arts (NCA), where he began his career as painter and then became a Model. His first song “Channo” gained enough success which was required to made him a mainstream singer in Pakistan. After singing in Pakistan, Ali tried his luck in acting in Bollywood. “Tere Bin Ladin,” was his debut Bollywood movie in 2010 and since then Ali has done more than half a dozen movies in India. Recently, Ali Zafar has done a song “Urainge” for Peshawar School Attack victims, which featured more than 50 Pakistani artists. Ali Zafar has 789k followers on Twitter.
2- Atif Aslam
Twitter handle: @itsaadee
Twitter bio: Living my dreams.
About Atif Aslam: Arguably, Atif Aslam is the most popular singer of Pakistan, who comes second on popularity with 356k followers on Twitter. He started his music career in 2004 with debut song Aadat, which went viral and brought him recognition in Pakistan and later in India. He has lend his vocals for Lollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood movies. Atif Aslam made his acting debut with Pakistani blockbuster movie Bol against Mahira Khan in 2011. Atif Aslam was awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz award by Government of Pakistan in 2008. He has also won several Pakistani as well as Indian music awards.
3- Salman Ahmad
Twiitter handle: @sufisal
Twitter bio: I only listen to the whisper within my heart. physician,poet,professor, peace activist,artist,author,actor & axe-man.
Why Salman Ahmad?: With 166k followers on Twitter, Salman Ahmad is third on the list of 10 Most Popular Pakistani Musicians on Twitter. He is not only a Guitarist and Singer but also a medical Doctor. When Junoon disbanded, Salman Ahmad went abroad and later gained fame in Pakistan again through social media when he joined Imran Khan led Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf, specifically after he sang Naya Pakistan, one of the PTI’s election campaign songs. He has also performed in Nobel Peace Prize Norway. Salman Ahmad has 166k followers on Twitter.
4- Shehzad Roy
Twitter handle: @ShehzadRoy
Twitter bio: I am pessimist because of my intellect and optimist because of my will.
Why Shehzad Roy: Shehzad Roy has been doing music for more than two decades. He has released six music albums. He received Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2005, which is the biggest Civil Honour award of Pakistan. Shehzad is also a Philanthropist and runs Zindagi Trust which spreads education for children. Shehzad Roy has 89.6k followers on Twitter.
5 – Ali Azmat
Twitter handle: @RealAliAzmat
Twitter bio: recording artist musician actor anchor song writer producer activist.
About Ali Azmat: The music lovers in Pakistani surely knows Ali Azmat, the lead vocalists of Pakistan’s biggest Sufi-Rock band Junoon. Ali started his music career with Jupiter but shortly formed Junoon with Salman Ahmed and Brian. After disbanding from Junoon, Ali began his solo career and released a couple of albums. He was the first ever musician to perform at United Nation General Assembly in 2001. Ali also judged Pakistan Idol season one along with Bushra Ansari and Hadiqa Kiyani. Ali Azmat has 85.6k followers on Twitter.
6- Hadiqa Kiani
Twitter handle: @Hadiqa_kiani
Twitter Bio: feel the light
About Hadiqa Kiani: Just after Ali Azmat, we have the female judge of Pakistan Idol, Hadiqa Kiani. The Diva aka Hadiqa began her music career with her debut album Raaz in 1995 and since then, she has released five music albums. A part from music, Hadiqa is also a business woman and a philanthropist. She ran Haqida Kiani Flood Relief Campaign in past. She was also appointed United Nation Development Program’s Goodwill ambassador. Hadiqa won several big awards including Lux Style Awards and Hum Awards. She has 62.1k followers on Twitter.
7- Quratulain Balouch (QB)
Twitter handle: @Quratulainb
Twitter bio: musician/songwriter
About Quratulain Balouch: After getting inspiration from the legendary Pakistani singer such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Reshma Jee and Abida Parveen, Quratulain Balouch aka QB started her music career in 2011. QB gained huge fame after her first cover number of Reshma Jee “Ankhiyan Nu Rhen Dey,” and this fame got doubled when she sang the OST of Humsafar drama serial. Humsafar received Best Song of the Year and Best Original Soundtrack at Lux Style Awards. With her 46.5k follower on Twitter, QB is on seventh in the list.
8- Bilal Khan
Twitter handle: @bilalkhan
Twitter bio: Singer/Songwriter/Guitarplayer
About Bilal Khan: The “Bachana” famed guy Bilal Khan began his singing career during his studies. He released his debut album “Umeed” in 2011. Bilal also did two songs for Coke Studio season four. Apart from singing, Bilal Khan also tried acting in a Pakistani telefilm “Tamanah ki Tamanah.” With his 36k followers on Twitter, Bilal Khan in eight in the list.
9- Annie Khalid:
Twitter handle: @annie_khalid
Twitter bio: Pakistan’s Pop Princess… And you?
About Annie Khalid: On the list of 10 most popular Pakistani singers on Twitter, the self proclaimed “Princess” Annie Khalid in on number nine. Annie began her music career with her most popular number “Mahiya.” The song also got featured in a Bollywood movie “Awarapan.” This gained more to Annie. Because of her killer looks, Annie also tried modeling and walked twice on ramp during Karachi Fashion Week. Annie was also Norway’s Red Cross Goodwill ambassador in 2011. Annie has 35.2k followers on Twitter.
10- Meesha Shafi
Twitter handle: @itsmeeshashafi
Twitter bio: Mother by day. Rockstar by night. Performing Artist. Singer/Actor, going strong since the year 2000.
About Meesha Shafi: With the most interesting Twitter bio, the diva Meesha Shafi is last in this list. Meesha Shafi began her career as a Model and later jumped into singing for Pakistan band Overload with her husband Mehmood. She did vocals for her band’s album “Pichal Pairee.” Meesha left Overload in 2011 and later did a song with Arif Lohar “Alif Allah” (Jugni) in Coke Studio season 3. The song became the most viral track of Coke Studio, which also gained huge popularity to Meesha. Apart from singing, Meesha also tried acting and made her big-screen debut with Hollywood movie “Mira Nair,” and then also did a role in “Reluctant Fundamentalist.” Not only Hollywood, Meesha also given roles in Bollywood movie “Bhaag Mika Bhaag” and in the biggest blockbuster movie of Pakistani cinema “Waar.” Meesha has 33.5k followers on Twitter.
