KARACHI – The City of Lights recently witnessed a musical intersection like no other. On May 8th, the Arts Council of Pakistan became the stage for the Karachi chapter of the Mehfil Tour 2026, a curated live music experience that successfully bridged the gap between the rugged mountains of the North and the contemporary sounds of the South.
A Vision by Xulfi and Sherry Khattak
The brainchild of legendary producer Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan (Xulfi) and Sherry Khattak, Mehfil is more than just a concert series; it is a movement dedicated to cultural preservation. Following a massive debut in Lahore last year, the 2026 tour kicked off in Karachi, with upcoming stops planned for Islamabad and a grand return to Lahore.
When Hunza Met Mainstream Pop
The evening’s highlight was the seamless collaboration between the LLMC Ensemble from Hunza—Pakistan’s first authentic folk orchestra—and iconic mainstream acts like Farhan Saeed and Call The Band.
The LLMC Ensemble, trained at the Leif Larsen Music Centre, brought the indigenous sounds of Gilgit-Baltistan to the forefront. Using traditional instruments such as the Chitrali Sitar, Dadang, Xhiggini, and Rubab, they provided a hauntingly beautiful backdrop to modern hits.
A Setlist That Defined Generations
The performance was a nostalgic journey, blending folk compositions with the “modern memory” of Pakistani pop and rock. The audience was treated to unique renditions of:
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Traditional Gems: Ya Qurban, Ashurjan, and Madhuvanti.
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Coke Studio Classics: Tu Jhoom and Ranjish.
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Pop-Rock Anthems: Aadat, Sab Bhula Ke, Laari Chooti, and Halka Halka Suroor.
The night concluded on a high note with Qataghani, leaving the crowd in awe of the cross-cultural synergy.
“Honesty, Warmth, and Excitement”
Speaking about the project’s heartbeat, Xulfi shared his excitement:
“Mehfil was born from a desire to see different musical worlds meet with honesty and warmth. Seeing songs we’ve known for years take on new emotional colors through different instruments and regional sensibilities is what makes this special.”
By bringing mountain melodies into a contemporary format, the Mehfil Tour is proving that Pakistan’s heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing, and evolving force.
Our audience means everything to us.
Have feedback or suggestions to make us better? We’re always listening—feel free to get in touch with us at truthora2026@gmail.com
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