Daily Times

Pakistan’s ‘pop queen’ Nazia Hassan was remembered by music lovers around the world on Wednesday on what would have been her 54th birthday.

Nazia Hassan passed away on August 13, 2000, at the young age of 35, in London, following a prolonged battle with lung cancer.

The game-changing star, who was born on April 3, 1965, sprung to popularity through Pakistan Television’s programme ‘Sung Sung’ and shot to unexpected fame to become one of Pakistan’s most famous celebrities in the 1970s and ’80s – a pride for the country.

Her award-winning single ‘Aap jesa koi’ — sung for Indian film ‘Qurbani’ — made her a beloved icon both at home and across South Asia. She bagged a Filmfare Award, becoming the first Pakistani to win the prestigious accolade and went on to sell over 60 million records worldwide

Her award-winning single “Aap jesa koi” – sung for Indian film ‘Qurbani’ – made her a beloved icon both at home and in South Asia. She bagged a Filmfare Award, becoming the first Pakistani to win the prestigious accolade and, along with her brother Zohaib Hassan, went on to sell over 60 million records worldwide. The duo released “Disco Deewane” in 1981.

Pakistan’s contemporary music scene is forever indebted to Nazia whose music career started when she was 10 years old. She redefined the country’s pop music as the ’80s children remember her songs such as “Dum dum de de” and “Akhain milane walay” quite well. The talented singer was not only blessed with an angelic voice to serenade audiences but with an empathetic heart as well. Her philanthropic work also won her win several accolades. She joined the United Nations in 1991 and worked for United Nations Children’s Fund.