Pakistani singer HAVI, whose real name is Abdur Rahman Sajid, recently raised an interesting question: do Pakistanis truly respect their artists? During a conversation with writer Maliha Rehman, she pointed out that artists in Pakistan often don’t get the respect they deserve. HAVI responded with a sharp counter-question, asking who exactly does get respected in this society.
He went further, saying the problem isn’t limited to artists at all. According to him, Pakistani society has struggled to honor almost anyone, not even the country’s founder, not politicians, and not religious figures either. He added that people here often fail to treat other humans, including children, with basic dignity, and that even animals are frequently mistreated. Given this bigger picture, HAVI suggested that artists shouldn’t feel singled out, since they’re just a small part of a much larger pattern.
HAVI is known for his powerful voice and unique musical style. He first became widely recognized through his appearances on Pepsi Battle of the Bands, where his renditions of classical qawwalis won him many fans. Since then, the Karachi-based artist has moved on from covers to creating his own original music. His newest release, a track called “Trouble,” came out recently.
HAVI’s comments have sparked conversation about how Pakistani society treats its creative community, and more broadly, how it treats people in general.
