1st Indus Music Awards

Indus Music sets yet another milestone in the music history of Pakistan. Being the first Pakistani Music Channel, IM held the country’s first ever music awards, the Jazz IM Awards at the Al-Hamra Hall, Lahore in collaboration with Mobilink Jazz, Pakistan’s Favorite Cellular Service. The show brought together most of the popular singers of the country along with stars and celebrities from showbiz.

The presenters included pop icon Sukhbir, ZQ, Nadia Afghan, Amina Shifaat, Imran Abbas, Sarmad Khoosat, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Asad Amanat Ali, Humayun Saeed, Imaan Ali, Marina Khan, Adnan Siddiqui, Resham, Sunita Marshall, Hasan Shehryar, Tina Sani, Sania Saeed, Samina Peerzada, Usman Peerzada, Asim Raza, Tariq Amin, Savera Nadeem, Iraj Manzoor, Mr. Bilal Munir Sheikh (Director Marketing, Mobilink), Mr. Rashid Khan (Chief Commercial Officer, Mobilink) and many more.

The presenters included pop icon Sukhbir, ZQ, Nadia Afghan, Amina Shifaat, Imran Abbas, Sarmad Khoosat, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Asad Amanat Ali, Humayun Saeed, Imaan Ali, Marina Khan, Adnan Siddiqui, Resham, Sunita Marshall, Hasan Shehryar, Tina Sani, Sania Saeed, Samina Peerzada, Usman Peerzada, Asim Raza, Tariq Amin, Savera Nadeem, Iraj Manzoor, Mr. Bilal Munir Sheikh (Director Marketing, Mobilink), Mr. Rashid Khan (Chief Commercial Officer, Mobilink) and many more.

The stars walked the red carpet in style where they were accompanied by the flamboyant Mani and Tooba recording their comments regarding this revolutionary event. The set was startling with abstract images and images of singers being projected all over the set which added to the glamour of this ground-breaking event.

The show opened with a recap of the Music in Pakistan in the 70’s creating a feeling of nostalgia for all the artists of that era. Exclusive performances on songs from the 70’s such as “Tumhain kaisay bata doun”, “Keh Day Na” and “Humma Humma” by upcoming artists such Shiraz Uppal, Mizmaar and Raga Boys made the audience relive that era once again.

IM’s very own charming VJ Faizan Haq and gorgeous Amber Azam initiated the proceedings of the show with witty remarks and funny acts. The next performance, a western medley, got the audience ready to rock themselves to the beat of Elvis, Beatles, George Michael and Michael Jackson. The show then moved to the next segment, which focused on the 80’s picking up where the previous decade left off.

Famous hits of that era such as “Teri Meri Dosti”, “Yaaron Yehi Dosti” and “Dil Dil Pakistan” were performed by our very artists of the current era like Shuja Haider & Seher, Atif and Mizraab respectively. Atif, the voice of Aadat made his mark with a very funky look that was dominated by his colored hair. The show moved to an entirely new level when IM’s cute and lovable VJ’s Anoushey and Dino walked the stage in grace and style. The next performance overload by the very famous Pappu Sain added more desi flavor to this elite event and was rewarded by a standing ovation. The award categories continued in between these unique performances. The 90’s began with artists of that era performing their very own hits. Ali Haider rocked away with “Purani Jeans”, Humaira Arshad danced on “Gal Sun” Najam Shiraz in his red tuxedo touched the audience with his “Main No teray Naal” while Jawad Ahmed got the audience back on their feet with “Unchiyan Majajan.”

Special IM Awards were presented to Sabir Zafar, Ali Haider and Sajjad Ali for their extensive contribution to the music industry in Pakistan.  The show then entered the 2000 era which energized the young crowd when EP came on stage and performed “Humain Aazma.” Next in line was Ali Zafar, who was definitely one artist that stood out and made his presence felt in shining dhoti kurta. 

Ali Zafar danced on his latest hit “Huqa Pani.”  Fuzon, winner of Best Composer and Best Ballad ended the 2000 era with their soft melody “Ankhoun Kai Sagar.” Indus Music honored our legends with Hall of Fame awards. The 1st Hall of fame award presented by Nizar Lallani and Iraj Manzoor was given to Alamgir. The 2nd Hall of Fame award presented by Shoaib Hashmi was given to Nazia & Zoheb Hasan.The performance that was heart of the event was Humayun Saeed’s outstanding performance on Channo that left an impact on the audience. The Jazz IM Life time achievement award was presented by Mr. Ghazanfar Ali, CEO, Indus TV Network and Mr. Zouhair A. Khaliq, President and CEO Mobilink to Ustaad Nusrat fateh Ali Khan for his immeasurable contribution to the music industry in Pakistan. This award was received by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan on his behalf. And then the finale, Junoon, winner of Best Band award performed their latest hit “Garaj Baras” and ended this remarkable event with no doubt an astonishing performance.