24 years on, Iconic pop singer Nazia Hassan still lives in our hearts

ISLAMABAD: The 24th death anniversary of legendary pop singer Nazia Hassan is being observed today.

Born on April 3, 1965, she rose to prominence through the widely popular Pakistan Television programme Sung Sung, becoming a household name during the late 80s.

Nazia Hassan started her music career at the age of ten as a child star with the song “Aap Jaisa Koi,” which propelled her to international fame.

Her famous songs include, “Teri Meri Aisi Dosti and Taali dey thallay.            

Nazia received numerous national and international accolades, including Pakistan’s highest civil award, the Pride of Performance.

Her first album, Disco Deewane, released in 1981, became the best-selling Asian pop album of its time, reaching audiences in 14 countries.

The iconic “Disco Deewane” became an anthem for the youth and was so groundbreaking that it even inspired a segment in Karan Johar’s 2012 film, Student of The Year.

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At the age of 15, Nazia Hassan became the first Pakistani singer to win an Indian Filmfare award in 1980.

Recognized and adored across South and Southeast Asia, Nazia Hassan, along with her brother Zoheb Hassan, achieved remarkable success, selling over 65 million records worldwide. She even became the first Pakistani singer to enter the British musical charts with her English language single “Dreamer Deewane.”

Beyond her musical achievements, Nazia Hassan was a lawyer, social activist, and philanthropist. She earned degrees from Richmond, The American International University, and the University of London, receiving both national and international awards for her contributions.

Nazia Hassan died of lungs cancer at the age of 35 on this day in 2000. 

Her untimely demise on August 13, a day before Independence Day, left the nation in grief and sorrow.