Atif Aslam gets ‘cancelled’ for singing for Pakistani Army

The five-minute song, Sab Ka Shajra Pakistan, reportedly aims to honour national unity, resilience, and a collective commitment to progress.

Atif Aslam in the Pakistan Day anthem released by ISPR | Photo: YouTube screengrab

New Delhi: Atif Aslam has been ‘cancelled’ in Pakistan. His fans are miffed with him, and the Pakistan Army is to blame. The Pakistani singer’s new song for the Army in commemoration of Pakistan National Day has triggered a barrage of reactions across the country. 

Pakistanis are saying that the Army has brought the singer’s reputation down with them. 

“The Pakistan Army has been on a massive PR drive to woo back its lost urban middle class support base but the reaction on digital spaces confirm that even a mega superstar does not hold the magic pill,” Ebad Ahmed, a Karachi-based independent journalist who covers culture and human rights, told ThePrint. 

The song, titled ‘Sab Ka Shajra Pakistan’, garnered close to two lakh views on YouTube but did not get rave reviews. In fact, it has become the most disliked song of his career. With an unprecedented backlash, the song has registered a 77 per cent dislike ratio, according to a report by Pakistan Tribune.

The five-minute song reportedly aims to honour national unity, resilience, and a collective commitment to progress. It begins with a montage of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s silhouette and goes on to show Atif Aslam singing, “In every language, the word on everyone’s lips is Pakistan, our life, our sacrifice, Pakistan is my heart. One heart, one voice, one Pakistan”.

‘A dilemma’

According to Ahmed, while Atif Aslam is too big a star to be significantly affected by criticism, this episode underscores a stark reality for Pakistani celebrities today—“any pro-government or pro-Army stance risks alienating the very fanbase that sustains their careers”.

“They now face a dilemma: align with the state (military) for financial and institutional benefits or protect and grow their fan following by either publicly supporting Imran Khan or maintaining neutrality,” Ahmed added. 

Most fans of the singer agreed. Social media was filled with disapproving reactions.

“Even Atif Aslam could not save this song,” a disgruntled Pakistani wrote on YouTube. Others said they had clicked on the song only to press the dislike button. 

“Atif Aslam hasn’t lived in #Pakistan for a long time. A textbook example of an elite class with no idea about the ground realities in #Pakistan, if he would have any stake or relation to the country, he wouldn’t have offered his services to the notorious mafia of #PakistanArmy,” a Pakistani user on X angrily noted. 

“24 hrs may millions views lene wala atif aslam ka ye hal kaisa hua. Khud atif B soch raha hoga maine ye kia bang Mari (How did this happen to Atif Aslam who gets millions of views in 24 hours. Even Atif himself must be thinking, why did I do this),” another person commented on YouTube. 

Pakistan Day, celebrated annually on 23 March, commemorates the 1940 Lahore Resolution, a key moment in the country’s independence movement. The anthem’s release is part of broader celebrations, including military parades, cultural events, and official ceremonies across the nation.

While some said that Atif should not have offered his services to the “notorious mafia”, others seemed plain amused, with one saying that “polarisation has overpowered patriotism and nationalism.”

“People are criticising Atif Aslam for singing the national song for the ISPR. We, as a nation, are so foolish that instead of raising our voices on genuine issues, we are hating an artist who actually sang a very good song. Get a life everyone!” Moiz Mazhar wrote on X.

Others think roping in Atif Aslam was a subtle tactic amid the internal tensions in the country. 

“After rigging the elections, massacring people, and putting half the country on fire, the army hired Atif Aslam to spread the “all is well” vibe,” one X user was quick to point out. 

‘Cancelled’

The general consensus is: “Everything ISPR touches turns to trash. Atif Aslam was next in line.”

“It seems Atif Aslam did not sing from his heart. The song did not reach our hearts. Well, try again and again and again, may you be successful,” a Pakistani sarcastically noted on YouTube.

The verdict is out. Atif Aslam has been cancelled. 

“With a heavy heart, Atif Aslam you are cancelled. What’s the point of all that fame and money when you can’t say NO to blood money from a rogue institution because of which millions have suffered??” another X user declared. 

However, some considerate fans said that Atif took this step under duress. They are asking him, “Sir kya majbori thi? Ya shok tha qoum se galia khany ka? (What made you want to be criticised by your fans)”.

Another fan responded, “I think Atif Aslam was sick of being liked– he wanted people to send lanats…”

Ahmed, however, feels that the anger is not toward Atif entirely. 

“The negative reactions are not directed at Atif Aslam or his artistry but rather serve as an expression of dissent against the Pakistani military establishment’s political role, particularly amid its tensions with former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party. Atif remains a mega superstar in Pakistan, and what we are witnessing is not a targeted campaign against him but rather disappointment from his fanbase, which largely comprises the urban middle class—the very constituency where Imran Khan enjoys strong support,” he said.

(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)