Renowned Pakistani rock singer Ali Azmat sang the iconic patriotic song “Dil Dil Pakistan” at Chakothi in Azad Kashmir, close to the Pakistan-India border, and a video of the performance has gone viral on social media.
In the video circulating online, Ali Azmat can be seen standing at the border point in Chakothi and singing the beloved milli naghma. The clip has drawn wide attention, with social media users sharing it and praising the singer for the heartfelt performance.
Ali Azmat is one of Pakistan’s best-known rock singers. He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of Junoon, the Sufi rock band that became one of the country’s most successful musical acts. His popular songs with the band include “Jazba-e-Junoon”, “Sayonee” and “Dosti”, all of which remain favourites among listeners in Pakistan and abroad.
Junoon’s music reached audiences far beyond Pakistan during its peak years. In 2001, the band became the first Pakistani band to perform at the United Nations General Assembly, a milestone that underlined the group’s international standing. After leaving the band, Ali Azmat went on to build a solo career as a singer, songwriter and actor.
“Dil Dil Pakistan” holds a special place in the country’s musical history. It is counted among Pakistan’s most popular patriotic songs and was performed by the band Vital Signs, with Junaid Jamshed’s voice, in 1985. The lyrics were written by Shoaib Mansoor and Nisar Nasik. Over the years, the song has become a familiar part of national celebrations and public gatherings across the country.
Chakothi, where the performance took place, is a town in Azad Kashmir near the Line of Control, the de facto border between Pakistan and India. The area is known for its mountain scenery and the Jhelum River valley, and the border crossing at Chakothi has long been one of the region’s notable landmarks.
According to reports, the video of Ali Azmat’s performance first appeared on social media earlier this week and has since been shared widely. Social media users have praised the singer’s style and described the performance as a moving expression of love for the country.
The performance comes as patriotic songs continue to hold a strong place in Pakistan’s popular culture, with “Dil Dil Pakistan” remaining one of the most recognised and loved milli naghmas nearly four decades after it was first released.
