Veteran Pakistani singer and philanthropist Abrarul Haq recently shared surprising insights about his journey into music, revealing that his entry into the industry was never part of the plan.

During an appearance on Mazaq Raat, a popular Dunya TV talk show, Abrar disclosed that he was never a passionate music enthusiast in his early years. In fact, becoming a singer wasn’t even on his radar growing up.

The unexpected career path began when Shahid Masood, a producer at PTV and a friend of Abrar’s, invited him to fill in for a no-show singer during a television recording. That impromptu performance marked Abrar’s first time singing in public—a moment that inadvertently launched his music career.

Reflecting on that time, Abrar shared that his breakthrough song, “Assan Te Jana Ae Billo De Ghar,” was written during his university days. Without any formal training, he composed and recorded the track, which quickly went viral and turned him into a household name.

“I never imagined becoming a singer. It all started from a place of curiosity and passion, not because I had a background or education in music,” he explained.

Today, Abrarul Haq is celebrated not only for his vibrant music but also for his bold commentary on social and cultural matters. During the same interview, he voiced concern about the growing reluctance among Punjabi speakers to embrace their mother tongue.

While reaffirming respect for Urdu as Pakistan’s national language, Abrar encouraged people to be proud of their linguistic heritage—especially Punjabi. He criticized those who deliberately suppress their Punjabi identity or speak the language with affected accents, attributing this trend to a lack of cultural confidence.

“The way people distance themselves from Punjabi reflects deeper issues of self-worth and disconnect from roots,” he remarked.

Abrar’s story serves as a reminder that success can come from the most unexpected turns in life—and that holding onto one’s cultural identity is just as important as pursuing personal achievement.