1. Why is the ghazal ‘Sanu Nehar Wale Pul’ by Madam Noor Jehan trending on Instagram?

a) A new official remake was released

b) It became a popular soundtrack for Instagram reels about relationships

c) It was featured in a new film soundtrack

d) A reality show performance revived interest

3. Which Pakistani music group is making a major comeback after a five-year hiatus with a new album and an upcoming concert this month?

a) Sikandar Ka Mandar

b) ESharp

c) Hasan Raheem

d) Kaavish

2. Which Pakistani artist has been named Spotify RADAR Pakistan’s featured artist for 2026?

a) Afusic

b) Mehdi Maloof

c) Nehaal Naseem

d) Shae Gill

4. Which Pakistani singer-songwriter continues to gain international listeners after his track ‘Iraaday’ was featured in Ms. Marvel?

a) Abdul Hannan

b) Natasha Noorani

c) Talal Qureshi

d) Faris Shafi

5. According to Spotify’s Wrapped 2025, which local artist led Pakistan’s streaming rankings with the most tracks in global lists?

a) Umair

b) Atif Aslam

c) Talha Anjum

d) Hasan Raheem

Answers

1. The correct answer is b.

‘Sanun Nahar Wale Pul’, a Punjabi ghazal sung by Madam Noor Jehan in the 1970s, has found renewed popularity on Instagram where it is widely used as background audio for reels focused on relationships, heartbreak and emotional introspection. Gen Z users in particular have embraced short clips of the song for reflective captions, minimalist visuals and slow-motion montages.

This trend is notable because a nearly five-decade-old ghazal has crossed generational boundaries and resonated with younger audiences. The song’s poetic melancholy and Madam Noor Jehan’s emotive delivery make it a natural fit for short-form storytelling, demonstrating how social media continues to revive archival South Asian music in unexpected ways.

2. The correct answer is d.

Spotify named Shae Gill as its RADAR Pakistan artist for 2026, highlighting her artistic growth and expanding international listenership. RADAR is Spotify’s global initiative aimed at identifying emerging artists and supporting them through curated playlists, editorial features and increased visibility across markets.

Shae Gill rose to prominence with ‘Pasoori’ and has since evolved her sound through independent releases and collaborations. Her recent track ‘Insecurity’, a Punjabi track exploring vulnerability and self-doubt, has accumulated more than 256,000 streams since its release. Her inclusion in RADAR reflects her sustained popularity and Spotify’s recognition of her potential to reach audiences beyond South Asia.

3. The correct answer is b.

ESharp is a dynamic independent act based in Karachi, known for albums such as Bahadur Yaar Jung, 600 Saal and Choti Khushiyan. After a five-year hiatus, the band returned with a studio album titled Baatein Khurafati, released this year. Sikandar Ka Mandar disbanded after two albums, though frontman Nadir Shehzad has since formed a new band called Dulhay Mian. Calling Hasan Raheem a “band” would be inaccurate, as he operates as a solo artist despite frequent collaborations. Kaavish disappeared from the music scene for several years but made a terrific comeback in 2024. Since then, they have released new music, appeared on Coke Studio and toured both within and outside Pakistan with great success. Their debut album Gunkali has also seen a resurgence across multiple music platforms.

4. The correct answer is a.

Abdul Hannan’s breakout track ‘Iraaday’ saw a major rise in international recognition after being featured in Marvel’s Ms. Marvel, a series that prominently celebrated South Asian culture and music. Its inclusion introduced Hannan to a global audience, many of whom discovered Pakistani indie pop for the first time.

Written and performed by Hannan and produced, mixed and mastered by Rovalio, ‘Iraaday’ has accumulated over 100 million views on YouTube. The track continues to perform strongly across streaming platforms, maintaining momentum well beyond its television exposure. Its success highlights how global streaming content can act as a cultural bridge and allow Pakistani artists to gain visibility beyond borders.

5. The correct answer is c.

According to Spotify Wrapped 2025, Talha Anjum led Pakistan’s streaming rankings with the highest number of tracks appearing across local and global playlists. His dominance reflects the growing influence of Pakistani hip-hop and rap, genres that have moved from niche spaces into the mainstream. Anjum’s lyric-driven storytelling and strong digital engagement have helped him build a loyal listener base within Pakistan and among diaspora audiences. His presence in Spotify’s Wrapped consistently over the last few years underscores a broader shift in listening habits, where younger audiences are increasingly embracing homegrown rap and alternative sounds that are reshaping Pakistan’s musical identity.