Pakistan Idol season 2
| Pakistan Idol (season 2) | |
|---|---|
| Season 2 | |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Geo TV PTV Home A-Plus TV |
| Original release | 4 October 2025 |
| Season chronology | |
Pakistan Idol - Season 2 also known as Pakistan Idol - Aayi Dil Se Awaaz is the second season of Pakistani reality television series Pakistan Idol. It was announced in August 2025 as a reboot of the series, which originally aired in 2013–2014.[1][2]
The first episode of season premiered on October 4, 2025 with auditions in Sukkur.[3] The season is being hosted by Shafaat Ali[4] and the judges panel includes Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zeb Bangash, Fawad Khan and Bilal Maqsood.[5]
Background
Pakistan Idol first aired on Geo TV from 2013 to 2014. After an eleven-year hiatus, the network confirmed in August 2025 that the programme would return for a second season.[1] The announcement included details of a new judging panel and was covered by multiple Pakistani and international media outlets.[2]
Judges
The judging panel for season 2 was announced in August 2025. It consists of:
Format
Pakistan Idol season 2 follows the established format of the Idol franchise, adapted for Pakistani audiences and featuring a series of competitive stages leading to the selection of the season’s winner through a combination of judges’ evaluations and public voting. The season premiered on 4 October 2025 and marks the show’s return after an eleven-year hiatus.
Auditions
The season began with open auditions held in multiple cities across Pakistan, including Sukkur, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. These auditions were broadcast in the first episodes of the season. Contestants performed live for the judging panel, with successful auditionees advancing to subsequent rounds.
In addition to traditional in-person auditions, the season offered an online audition option through the Begin platform, where aspiring singers could submit performance videos for consideration.
Theatre Rounds
Contestants who advanced from the audition episodes entered the theatre rounds. During this phase, participants performed in solo and group formats under more intensive evaluation by the judges, with the field of contestants further narrowed. The theatre rounds were covered in later episodes of the season’s broadcast.
Gala and Live Shows
Following the theatre rounds, the remaining contestants progressed to gala and live shows. These episodes featured weekly themed performances broadcast to a national audience. Judges provided live feedback after each performance, while eliminations were announced based on a combination of public voting and judges’ commentary. The live shows continued until a final winner was declared.
Judging and Hosting
The judging panel for season 2 consists of singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, vocalist Zeb Bangash, actor and musician Fawad Khan, and musician Bilal Maqsood. The season is hosted by television personality Shafaat Ali.
Broadcasting and Streaming
In an unprecedented move for a Pakistani reality series, season 2 was broadcast simultaneously on multiple television networks, reaching a wider audience. Among the channels airing the show were Geo TV, PTV Home, A-Plus TV, and others. The show was also made available internationally via streaming on the Begin platform, allowing viewers outside Pakistan to watch episodes online.
Voting
Public voting played a central role in determining contestant progression during the gala and live shows. Viewers were encouraged to cast votes for their favourite performers through designated digital platforms during specified voting windows. Voting results contributed directly to weekly eliminations and the eventual outcome of the competition.
Top 16 Finalists
| Place | Contestants | Age 1 | About the contestants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rawish Rubab | 24 | Rawish Rubab is a contestant from Lahore. She is a student at Punjab University and participated in community events and small informal gatherings before her television debut. Rawish became known through videos of her public performances, some featuring her younger brother, which circulated on social media prior to the show. Her audition performance of “Jis Din Se Piya Dil Le Gaye” drew wide online attention after it was broadcast, receiving coverage from NDTV and other outlets. Rawish’s singing background includes informal practice within family settings and at small venues. She entered Pakistan Idol after being encouraged by relatives and viewers who followed her online clips. Her participation marked her first appearance on a televised musical competition. |
| 2 | Maham Tahir | Maham Tahir is a contestant from Islamabad. She is an intermediate student and previously took part in school cultural events, morning assemblies, and inter-class singing activities. Before appearing on Pakistan Idol, she performed at small local gatherings and participated in extracurricular activities involving music. Maham began practicing vocals during early school years and prepared for her audition through routine self-guided rehearsals. She entered the competition as her first major singing platform. She has no publicly reported formal training. | |
| 3 | Mehtab Ali | Mehtab Ali is a contestant from Faisalabad. Prior to joining Pakistan Idol, he performed at community events, neighbourhood functions, and small private gatherings. He has been involved in amateur singing since his teenage years and gained local experience by appearing in smaller competitions and open-mic sessions. Mehtab supported his musical interests alongside routine work and family commitments. Pakistan Idol marks his first large-scale televised competition. He practices primarily in contemporary Pakistani and filmi styles. | |
| 4 | Nabeel Abbas Khan | Mohammad Nabeel, known as Nabeel Abbas Khan, is a contestant from Rawalpindi. He began uploading song covers on social media platforms prior to his audition. He has taken part in informal musical sessions with friends and community groups. Nabeel completed his initial studies at a local institution before applying for the competition. He entered Pakistan Idol as his first television appearance. His vocal background includes self-directed training and participation in online music circles. | |
| 5 | Faryal Amber | Faryal Amber is a contestant from Multan. She participated in school-level events, community programmes, and family gatherings where she regularly performed. Before Pakistan Idol, she practiced vocals independently and occasionally recorded music clips for social-media posting. She joined the show to pursue larger performance opportunities. There is no publicly known record of formal musical education connected to her. | |
| 6 | Romaisa Tariq | Romaisa Tariq is a contestant from Lahore. She took part in school singing activities, university open-mic nights, and student-run cultural events. Before her appearance on Pakistan Idol, she recorded short music clips for online platforms. Romaisa developed her singing independently without structured training. She entered the competition as one of her first major public musical engagements. Her performances draw from mainstream Pakistani pop and film melodies. | |
| 7 | Zain Baloch | Zain Baloch is a contestant from Gujranwala. He participated in youth events, neighbourhood programmes, and regional cultural functions prior to auditioning. Zain balanced part-time work with small musical appearances in his community. His singing experience grew through informal gatherings and peer performances. Pakistan Idol is his debut on a nationally broadcast show. He practices a contemporary pop-influenced style. | |
| 8 | Rohail Asghar | Rohail Asghar is a contestant from Sialkot. He sang at community events and completed early vocal practice under local instructors. Rohail has participated in music-related school activities and family gatherings. Before Pakistan Idol, he taught beginner-level singing to younger learners in his neighbourhood. His background includes exposure to classical and semi-classical techniques through informal lessons. Pakistan Idol is his first national-level platform. | |
| 9 | Hira Qaiser | Hira Qaiser is a contestant from Karachi. She has taken part in school theatre productions, cultural festivals, and university talent events. Her singing background developed alongside stage activities connected to drama societies. Before entering Pakistan Idol, Hira appeared at small community programmes and privately organised functions. Her preparation involved routine practice and participation in performing arts activities. She has no publicly documented formal classical training. | |
| 10 | Waqar Hussain | Waqar Hussain is a contestant from Hyderabad. He performed at regional fairs, local festivals, and community gatherings before auditioning for Pakistan Idol. Waqar combined music activities with part-time employment. His singing background includes folk-influenced styles learned within community settings. He joined Pakistan Idol seeking a broader performance platform. This season marks his first appearance on national television. | |
| 11 | Tarab Nafees | Tarab Nafees is a contestant from Quetta. She participated in school competitions, small family events, and community celebrations involving music. Tarab developed her vocals through informal practice without professional instruction. Prior to Pakistan Idol, she did not have significant public performance exposure beyond her regional environment. Entering the competition introduced her to a wider audience for the first time. | |
| 12 | Rouhan Abbas | Rouhan Abbas is a contestant from Bahawalpur. He recorded occasional singing clips for social media before auditioning for Pakistan Idol. Rouhan has limited stage experience and had not taken part in major competitions prior to the show. His musical practice was self-guided and primarily focused on casual performances among peers. Pakistan Idol serves as his first structured singing contest. | |
| 13 | Samya Gohar | Samya Gohar is a contestant from Islamabad. She has participated in school and college singing competitions, annual functions, and small charity events. Samya practiced singing independently and prepared for her audition through routine rehearsals. Her pre-show experience mainly consisted of campus-based performances. Pakistan Idol is her first national-level appearance. | |
| 14 | Aryan Naveed Bhatti | Aryan Naveed Bhatti is a contestant from Lahore. He began singing at school functions and youth events. Before Pakistan Idol, Aryan recorded song covers and shared them through online groups. He has limited formal training and developed his interest in vocals informally. The show marks his first major competitive platform. | |
| 15 | Meerab Javelin | Meerab Javelin is a contestant from Karachi. She previously performed at college festivals, talent shows, and youth cultural events. Meerab shared short singing clips online prior to the show. Before joining Pakistan Idol, she had not appeared in large public competitions. Her music preparation involved independent practice and participation in student-led events. | |
| 16 | Mohammad Ibrar | Mohammad Ibrar is a contestant from Peshawar. He performed at family events, neighbourhood gatherings, and private functions. Before Pakistan Idol, he worked part-time and practiced music alongside routine responsibilities. His background includes informal exposure to local singing traditions. The show is his first appearance on a nationally broadcast programme. | |
^Note : Ages listed are the contestants' ages during the season. All ages are verified through reliable sources.
Elimination chart
| Contestant | Pl. | Top 16 | Top 15 | Top 14 | Top 13 | Top 12 | Top 11 | Top 10 | Top 9 | Top 8 | Top 7 | Top 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gala 1 | Gala 2 | Gala 3 | Gala 4 | Gala 5 | Gala 6 | Gala 7 | Gala 8 | Gala 9 | Semi-final | Finale | ||
| 13/12 | ||||||||||||
| Aryan | ||||||||||||
| Faryal | ||||||||||||
| Hira | ||||||||||||
| Maham | ||||||||||||
| Meerab | ||||||||||||
| Mehtab | ||||||||||||
| Minaam | Wild Card | |||||||||||
| Nabeel | ||||||||||||
| Rawish | ||||||||||||
| Rohail | ||||||||||||
| Romaisa | ||||||||||||
| Rouhan | ||||||||||||
| Samya | ||||||||||||
| Tarab | ||||||||||||
| Waqar | ||||||||||||
| Zain | ||||||||||||
| Ibrar | Withdrew[a] | |||||||||||
- ^ Ibrar withdrew from the competition for personal reasons.
References
- ^ a b "Pakistan Idol stages comeback". The Express Tribune. 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- ^ a b "Fawad Khan to Judge as Pakistan Idol Returns After a Decade". Variety. 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- ^ "Pakistan Idol set for Oct 4 premiere on Geo TV". Geo TV. Muhammad Nasir. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ "Shafaat to host Pakistan Idol 2025". The Express Tribune. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ "Pakistan Idol: Fawad Khan, Zeb Bangash, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Bilal Maqsood confirmed as judges". Business Recorder. 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-14.