5 hottest Pakistani tracks you need to listen to right now
Artists are experimenting more than ever, walking toe to toe with global trends while keeping that distinct desi flavour that makes our sound instantly recognisable. And the world is definitely noticing.
So, here is our round-up of the 5 hottest Pakistani tracks you need to add to your playlists right now!
1. Kya Sach Ho Tum – Amna Riaz
Amna wrote this song for her husband, and you can feel that. There's something so personal about the way she sings it. The vocals are soft but piercing; the melody is simple but moving. That is exactly why it's going viral on every social media platform right now.
2. Main Rahun – Samar Jafri
Yes, he's the guy from Parwarish. And no, this is not some side project. Samar is a musician first and he lets you know that by dropping one of the most emotional ballads of the year. His voice is full of longing, but it never feels forced. Whether you're missing someone or just in your sad boy era, this one's for you.
3. Guzaarishen – Alistair Alvin & Samar Jafri
Samar's back, this time with Alistair Alvin, and together they sound unreal. Guzaarishen is the rich and layered soundtrack to Parwarish and perfect for its romantic drama energy. Listen to it when you want to feel like the main character in a slow-motion heartbreak scene.
4. Pal Pal – Afusic & Alisoomromusic
This track is basically a floating daydream. Pal Pal has been gaining traction online for a while now and for good reason. It's chill, ambient, and feels like watching the city blur past from a car window. Save this for when you're zoning out and loving it.
5. Jhol (Acoustic) – Maanu & Annural Khalid
You already know Jhol. It's been one of Maanu's most popular tracks for months, and the acoustic version takes it to another level. Annural's voice adds a softness that makes the whole song feel way more intimate. It feels like hearing a secret between friends. No wonder people keep coming back to it.
Bonus: Maand – Bayaan, Hasan Raheem & Rovalio
This collab didn't come to play. Bayaan brings the poetry, Hasan brings the swag, and Rovalio pulls it all together with a beat that sounds fresh out of the future. Maand feels like something new but still familiar. It's fun, and a sign of what's next for Pakistani alt-pop. If this isn't on your playlist yet, fix that.
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In the sub plot, sisters Maya (Aina Asif) and Mashal (Haleema Ali) live with a strict father who makes each call for them; until Maya and Wali, both in med school, develop a relationship. What follows shows what it means to grow up in a culture shaped by generational differences. That is the distance Parwarish has captured. Every week since it first aired on April 7th, the TV serial has given young twenty-something Gen-Zs in Pakistan a version of themselves that is not reverse-engineered to be 'relatable'. (Exhibit A: we all remember when Abubakr Shak's painful 'Sorry my foot!' hit our timelines). At the same time, it has given the 50 plus Gen X parents, raised in a much stricter 'don't ask, just do what you are told' culture, the chance to look inwards with more honesty. In doing so, the show brought two generations closer, giving them the chance to finally talk. In Episode 29, Maya hugs her father Shaheer for the first time. She apologizes for insisting on meeting Wali, bracing for the rejection that has always followed. But for once, Shaheer – a man who has spent the entire show clinging to the idea of family honor – softens. He tells her they will figure it out. Later that night, he confesses to his wife that while they were raised to fear dishonor, refusing to support Maya might mean losing her entirely. This is a moment for catharsis for both and a major turning point in the story. Muhammad, 26, had a similar experience, as he entered the room to his father watching the scene where Maya's mother, Saadia, allows her to meet Wali. 'It switched something in me,' he said. 'He didn't say anything but somehow watching that made it easier for me to blurt it out. I told him about my relationship right then.' Still, Parwarish is not the first TV drama to tackle the Gen Z experience. College Gate (2023), Judwaa (2024), and Midsummer Chaos (2021) tried, but fell short because their main focus was on appearance and not lived struggles. These characters might have looked like Gen Z and talked like them, but that was all. 'I don't really watch Pakistani dramas because they only show Gen Z as brats,' Muhammad said. 'It also always feels like the parents and kids are constantly at odds with each other which is so boring to watch.' And that is what Parwarish has done differently. Just like the children, it has shown parents in shades of grey, as works in progress too – anxious like Parna, second-guessing like Suleiman and even harsh like Jahangir. But they are trying. Watching the drama made me pause and reflect,' said Irum, 52, mother of two. 'Care and control are not the same. Sometimes, in trying to protect our children, we end up owning their choices. I didn't realise how deeply that can affect them until I saw it play out on screen specially when Aania hurt herself. 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To them, it gives too much space to feelings that should be discouraged or at the very least, managed. 'There are many lessons and goals to teach your children other than falling in love. This is not the age for that and should not be portrayed on television.' said Kiran Naz, a right-wing conservative anchor on SAMAA TV, in her TikTok review. Over five hundred comments flooded in agreement. But this is simply reality that Parwarish reflects. Teenage love is messy, all consuming and deeply visible in this culture too. The creators just make a clear effort to address that in a practical way rather than looking the other way. In Episode 32, Maya, who has spent the last three episodes doing nothing but talking to Wali and fixing his problems, misses her mock exams. She breaks down, devastated, as she realizes she is losing herself in the relationship. She draws a healthy line with Wali, and they agree to step back so she can focus on her studies. 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The last episode is set to air on August 11th, 2025.
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Startup Myco wins big at reality show
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