Abrar-ul-Haq (Punjabi: ابرار الحق) is a Pakistani singer-songwriter, philanthropist, and politician.[2][3] His debut 1995 album Billo De Ghar sold over 40.3million albums worldwide,[4] which made him a household name and granted him the title of "King of Pakistani pop".[5]
His first album as singer was Billo De Ghar, which was released in 1995.[8]
Controversies
Abrar-ul-Haq's songs have been a subject of controversy in Pakistan. After the release of the hit song "Billo De Ghar" in 1995, Urdu newspapers began quoting Islamic scholars of Lahore who were of the opinion that the song was describing a man falling in love with a prostitute and wanting to marry her. Upon the formation of Nawaz Sharif's PML-N majority government after the 1997 election, the song was banned from state-owned TV and radio channels.[9]
In the early 2000s, his song "Nach Punjaban" was met with opposition from those who thought the casual use of the word "Punjaban" was a demeaning way to address Punjabi women, eventually resulting in Abrar-ul-Haq re-recording a version of the song using the word "Majajan" instead.[10]
In 2007, the Supreme Court of Pakistan summoned the singer for an explanation of the song "Parveen" from the album Nara Sada Ishq Aye, alleging that it used the name Parveen in a derogatory manner that would hurt the sentiments of society.[11]
In 2019, his song "Chamkeeli" was the subject of a claim in a civil court in Lahore, with the courts requesting that the song be banned and removed from YouTube alleging that it was humiliating and insulting to both men and women.[12]
Abrar-ul-Haq is the Founder and Chairman of Sahara for Life Trust (SLT), a post he has held since its inception in 1998. SLT is a private organization promoting health and education in remote areas.[3][24] SAHARA stands for: "Services Aimed at Health and Awakening in Remote Areas". SLT is recognized and registered as a leading charitable organization in Pakistan, the U.K., and the U.S. It is also certified by the Pakistan Center for Philanthropy (PCP) and the U.N. (under the charter of DESA). SLT has been involved in numerous relief and rehabilitation efforts over the years. In 2003, SLT established its first large-scale general hospital in Narowal, Pakistan. The Sughra Shafi Medical Hospital Complex is a PMDC-certified general hospital that provides a wide range of healthcare services to the people of Narowal and its surrounding areas. The location of this hospital also reduced the travel time for patients in critical condition who were unable to travel to major cities in a timely manner, thus saving lives.
Sitara-e-Eisaar received from the President of Pakistan on 30 June 2006 for outstanding humanitarian relief work during the 8 October 2005 devastating earthquake in Pakistan.[26]
In 2006, he founded the Youth Parliament of Pakistan (YPP) a non-profit, non-political, and non-religious program that fosters excellence and translates talent in the young people of Pakistan through community service and tangible achievements. Its vision is to empower the young people of Pakistan with the ability to understand their role in society.[28]
On 15 November 2019, he was appointed Pakistan Red Crescent Society's 16th chairman and assumed office on 27 December 2019.[34][35]
He left the PTI & quit politics in May 2023.[36]
