Pakistan first Opera Singer Saira Peter and Abrar-ul-Haq a pop, bhangra, and folk musician would jointly perform in the Jashn-e-Azadi musical show to be held in London on August 13. According to a statement issued on Thursday, Peter has prepared a special new national song for the event. It will be the first time that both the famous singers will perform together. Earlier, in 2017 on the occasion of Independence Day, Peter produced the super hit patriotic tune “Aye Sarzameen.” “The love for my country and its people is the greatest motivation in anything I do,” Peter said. Peter was born in Karachi and later moved to London to pursue a career in music. She trained to become an opera singer under Paul Knight, who was a student of renowned English composer Benjamin Britten, considered a legend of Western classical music. Praising her mentor, Peter said, “I am proud to have trained under Paul Knight and think of him as my true teacher.” The singer also discussed the cultural importance of Sufi music. “Sufism is an important part of the Pakistani culture. Celebrated Sufi poets have woven together beautiful messages of peace and love in their poetry, and I wanted to bring this tradition to the West in their own musical language,” she said. Published in Daily Times, August 11th 2018.