Pakistani singer Tanveer Afridi has revealed why songs by some major artists, including Atif Aslam, rarely feature on the reality show Pakistan Idol.
Speaking in a recent discussion, Afridi explained that copyright restrictions and licensing costs limit the show’s ability to use certain tracks.
“Pakistan Idol definitely has restrictions on some songs because we do not have their copyrights,” Afridi said. He added that the cost of licensing certain songs remains prohibitively high, with some fees being far beyond the production budget.
Afridi specifically mentioned Atif Aslam, noting: “The price for Atif Aslam’s songs was so high that we could have made another Pakistan Idol with that money.” He stressed that prominent artists have every right to determine the value of their work: “He is a big artist. It is his right to ask for whatever fee he wants.”
Pakistan Idol returned to Pakistani television in 2025 after a hiatus of more than a decade. The show airs on Geo TV and follows the global Idol franchise format, showcasing aspiring singers from across Pakistan competing for the title of the country’s next singing sensation.
The judging panel for the current season includes renowned music and entertainment figures such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Fawad Khan, Zeb Bangash, and Bilal Maqsood. The show has quickly regained popularity, blending high-stakes competition with a platform for discovering new musical talent.
Afridi’s explanation clarifies that the absence of songs by major artists is not a reflection on the contestants or the show’s quality, but rather a matter of copyright law and production budget constraints.
