KARACHI – Pakistani celebrities have come forward in support of Fawad Khan after recent criticism regarding his role as a judge on the latest season of Pakistan Idol.
Fawad, who serves on the judging panel alongside Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Bilal Maqsood, and Zeb Bangash, became the centre of online debate after former playback singer Humaira Arshad questioned his qualifications to evaluate aspiring singers.
Humaira argued that judges should be selected for their technical expertise rather than their popularity, saying that musical evaluation “requires years of learning, deep technical knowledge, and an understanding of tone and technique.”
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Her remarks quickly went viral, dividing public opinion and sparking a wave of reactions from celebrities who rallied behind Fawad.
Many pointed out that Fawad Khan first rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the iconic rock band Entity Paradigm (EP), which played a pivotal role in shaping Pakistan’s modern rock music scene.
Actor Dur-e-Fishan Saleem weighed in, saying that while constructive criticism is healthy, “excessive negativity toward national stars is disgraceful rather than progressive.”
Actor Nameer Khan echoed her sentiments, urging people to appreciate Pakistan’s talent rather than tear it down.
He wrote, “Fawad Khan is a star and owes no one an explanation.”
Singer and actor Haroon Shahid also criticised the controversy, calling it “a waste of energy.”
He said, “What a stupid debate! The fact that she doesn’t know about Fawad and Bilal Bhai as musicians is the real alarming thing in all of this.”
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Fans on social media also defended Fawad, emphasising that judging a show like Pakistan Idol requires more than technical knowledge—it demands stage experience, performance insight, and artistic versatility, all of which Fawad possesses.
Supporters argued that his dual success as a musician and actor uniquely qualifies him to evaluate not just vocal ability but also stage confidence and star potential.
As Pakistan Idol continues its second season, discussions about who qualifies to judge musical talent remain one of the most talked-about topics on Pakistani social media.