Pakistan Idol is returning to television well over a decade after its original airing in 2014, and Fawad Khan, Zeb Bangash, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Bilal Maqsood have been confirmed as panelists.
The show — the 50th international adaptation of the British franchise — aired on Geo Entertainment from December 2013 to April 2014, was received well by audiences. Judged by Ali Azmat, Bushra Ansari and Hadiqa Kiani, the show’s finale had a million votes cast in an intense showdown that ended with Zamad Baig winning the competition.
The upcoming reboot is a project of Pakistani media company MHL Global and Freemantle, the rights distributor for the Idol franchise. Speaking to Variety, MHL Director Zoya Merchant said, “Pakistan has incredible musical talent, and this platform will not only spotlight it nationwide but elevate it to the global stage.” In a bid to reach more audiences across the country’s many linguistic and geographical regions, the company said it plans to air the show simultaneously on five different networks, a first for any Idol franchise.
Online auditions are underway on the Begin platform; in-person casting calls will be conducted later in major cities and some remote locations in Pakistan to allow for a diverse mix of contestants. Production is expected to begin later this year, with broadcast details and premiere dates to be announced.