Mehfil returns with 3-city tour to celebrate Pakistan’s music heritage

Lahore: The live music platform Mehfil, co-founded by Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, is set to make a comeback this month with a special three-city tour aimed at celebrating Pakistan’s rich musical traditions.

The tour will begin in Karachi on May 8, followed by Islamabad on May 16, and will conclude in Lahore on May 23. The events will bring together well-known artists and emerging talent from different regions of the country.

Originally launched in Lahore, Mehfil focuses on promoting both traditional and modern fusion music in intimate live settings. The platform is known for highlighting Pakistan’s diverse musical culture, including contributions from young musicians of Hunza, blending local instruments with contemporary styles.

This year’s performances will feature artists such as Farhan Saeed, the band The Call, and musicians from the Leif Larsen Music Centre (LLMC), based in Hunza.

The LLMC, established under the Aga Khan Music Programme in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy, works to preserve the musical traditions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral while supporting new and evolving forms of music. It aims to protect regional heritage while giving young artists a platform to perform.

Organizers say the Mehfil initiative is part of a broader effort to revive Pakistan’s cultural identity through music and to reconnect audiences with both nostalgic and contemporary sounds. Previous editions of the platform gained attention for reviving popular songs and collaborations that resonated with music lovers across the country.

The upcoming tour is expected to attract large audiences as it brings together diverse musical styles and celebrates the country’s rich artistic heritage.

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