Pakistan Idol, the popular musical reality show airing on Geo TV, Green Entertainment, and PTV Home, is back with its latest season judged by Fawad Khan, Zeb Bangash, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Bilal Maqsood.
The show first premiered in 2013 and has remained a major platform for aspiring singers.
Recently, renowned singer Sajjad Ali criticized the show for repeating songs during auditions, citing copyright limitations. In a press talk, he explained, “Pakistan Idol has been repeating a few songs, making things monotonous. They have rights from only a few companies, so song choices are limited. Everyone wants to sing classics like Ravi’s songs to showcase their range, but copyright issues prevent it. They contacted us, but we couldn’t reach a good deal.”
Social media users reacted with mixed opinions. Some criticized Ali for targeting a platform giving youth opportunities, saying, “It should not be about money; we should think of Pakistan.” Others supported his stance on royalties, praising his contributions to the music industry. One fan commented, “He is a top-notch singer of Pakistan,” while another said, “He is always right.”
The debate highlights ongoing challenges in balancing copyright laws and creative freedom on reality TV platforms, as well as the public’s passion for nurturing young talent.
