Ali Zafar is a Pakistani pop and rock singer-songwriter. He debuted as a singer with song "Channo" in 2003, and sang his first movie song "Jugnuon Se Bhar De Aanchal" in the same year. He has released four studio albums and has composed three soundtrack albums. He has sung for Hindi cinema from 2010 to 2016. His discography also includes songs for Pakistani films and dramas. He also has recorded many singles, covers, poetries, and has sung for TV commercials and brands, notably Coke Studio Pakistan, ISPR, and Pakistan Super League.
In 2011, Zafar named his independent record label as Alif Records. In September 2015, he established a studio in his new house and named it Lightingale Studios. In February 2020, he launched Lightingale Records, a music label with an intention to mentor and highlight the talents of new artists.
Albums
Studio albums +Studio album Year Title Genre Label Tracks2003Huqa PaniPopPan Rhythm, Empire102006MastyPop RockFrankfinn, Fire92011JhoomSufi PopYRF, Alif, Coke Studio122025RoshniAcoustic pop, deep houseLightingale12
Soundtrack albums +Soundtrack album Year Title Genre Label Tracks2012London, Paris, New YorkFilmi SoundtrackSony72014Total SiyapaaT-Series52018Teefa in TroubleLightingale, Junglee6
Extended play +Extended play Year Title Genre Label Tracks2023#IDontWannaTalkLightingale "Akhiyaan" "Raat Din" with Danny Zee "Raati Chann" with Buggs & Ozzy "Chal Dil Mere" (Lo-Fi Mix) "Chori Chori"
Compilation album: Dhanak Kay Rang (2020)
Soundtracks
Films
Pakistani films Year Song Film Music Lyrics Co-singer(s) Notes2003"Jugnuon Se Bhar Le Aanchal"ShararatWajahat AttrayAqeel RubyShabnam MajidZafar's solo version was added in Huqa Pani.2011"Love Mein Ghum"Love Mein GhumWaqar Ali2016"Jungle Medley"Lahore Se AageyShiraz Uppalvarious artists"Channo"2022"Ghabrana Nahi Hai"Ghabrana Nahi HaiShuja Haider"Dil Karey"Quaid-e-Azam ZindabadShani ArshadKhawaja DanishNish Asher2023"Huey Tum Ajnabi"Huey Tum AjnabiBaqir AbbasAbass TabishInspired by Faiz Ahmad Faiz's poetry "Hum Kay Thehray Ajnabi""Tooti Si Dunya"Allahyar and the 100 Flowers of GodHimself, Hassan BadshahHimself
Hindi films Year Song Film Music Lyrics Co-singer(s) Notes2010"I Love Amreeka"Tere Bin LadenShankar–Ehsaan–LoyJaideep SahniAkriti Kakar, Anusha ManiAlso ft. Shankar Mahadevan's voice in the album"Ullu Da Pattha""Welcome To Amreeka""Bas Ek Soch"Ali ZafarSingle from the album2011"F.U.N. Fun Funna"Luv Ka The EndRam SampathAmitabh Bhattacharya"Madhubala"Mere Brother Ki DulhanSohail SenIrshad KamilShweta Panditft. Sreerama Chandra in film version"Meri Pyaari Piya"Deleted song, but a part of it was ft. in the film2013"Early Morning" Chashme BaddoorSajid–WajidJalees SherwaniRap by LimitlessSingle; Sonu Nigam's voice ft. in the film"Dhichkyaaon Doom Doom"Shreya GhoshalWajid's version was also added in the album."Andha Ghoda Race Mein Dauda"Neelesh MisraWajid2014"Nakhriley"Kill DilShankar–Ehsaan–LoyGulzarShankar Mahadevan, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Narration by Gulzar2015"DJ"Hey BroNitz 'N' SonyPranav VatsaSunidhi Chauhan2016"Six Pack Abs"Tere Bin Laden: Dead or AliveAli Zafar"Tu Hi Hai"Dear ZindagiAmit TrivediKausar MunirArijit Singh's songs were added in the album."Taarefon Se"
Other films 2010: "Dekha" (from Masty) in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps 2024: "Dil Jhoom" in Crakk was recreated from Jhoom
TV series Year Song Title Lyrics Music Co-singer(s) Notes2011"Dastan-e-Ishq"Mein Mer Gai Shaukat Ali (A-Plus TV)2012"Zindagi Gulzar Hai"Zindagi Gulzar HaiAli Zafar2013"Channo"Burka Avenger"Awaaz Mein Teri"Pakistan Idol2019"Dil ka Dil se hua hai Ehd-e-Wafa"Ehd-e-WafaImran RazaSahir Ali BaggaBagga ft. Zafar, Asim Azhar and Aima Baig2020"Mushk"MushkAehsun TalishNaveed Nashad2021"Pehli Si Muhabbat"Pehli Si MuhabbatAsad ShahGoher MumtazAwarded as Singer of the Year for unplugged version"Pareshan Kyun Lage Tu"Chupke ChupkeZafar, Naveed NashadNirmal Roy2022"Hum Tum"Hum TumQamar NashadNaveed NashadDamia Farooq"Mere Dildar Sanam"FraudZafarHina Nasarullah2025"My Dear Cinderella"My Dear CinderellaBaggaAfshan Fawad"Dil Tera Ho Gaya"Shirin FarhadQasim Dahir, Hassan RaiAmna Rai"Mere Dushmano"HumraazQamar NashadNaveed Nashad2026"Fanaa"Mirza Ki HeerZafarIzzat Fatima"Chhaleya"Winter LoveQamar NashadNaveed Nashad"Jab Tu Yaad Aaye"Aap Ki IzzatHassan Badshah
Singles
Patriotic songs + List of songs about Pakistan Year Song Lyrics Music Co-singer(s) Notes2007"Yeh Hum Naheen"Ali MoeenShuja Haidervarious2015"Urain Ge"Ali ZafarTribute to the victims of 2014 Peshawar school massacre, and to support 141 Schools for Peace campaign"Hanstay Hanstay"2016"Yaarian"Sahir Ali BaggaAtif Aslam"Hum Roshan to Kal Roshan"ft. Sanam Marviby Medical Department of Sindh2017"Watan Ki Jeet""Qaumi Taranah"Hafeez JalandhariAhmed Ghulam Ali Chagla ft. Zafar2019"Jaan De Deinge"Ali Zafar2020"Ye Watan Tumhara Hai"Kaleem UsmaniTribute to the medical and security staff for fighting against COVID-19 and protecting lives; rendition of Mehdi Hassan's patriotic songCo-singer Iqrar Ul Hassan in 2021"Pakistani na Haarein ge"Imran RazaBagga ft. Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Hadiqa Kiani, Asim Azhar, Nabeel Shaukat AliAwareness for COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan"Kaam Kaam Kaam"re-written, composed and sung by Zafar; Muhammad Ali Jinnah's message (co-released by Diamond Supreme Foam)2021"Aik Qaum, Aik Manzil"Abid HassanZafar along with producer Sarmad GhafoorAima Baig"Hum Mazdoor"Rehman FarisHassan BadshahTribute to the labourers of Pakistan on Labour Day"You Have Stolen My Heart"Liang PengTiang Yi, Ling ShengxianMiang XinqiDebut in Chinese language, released on 70th anniversary of China–Pakistan relations"Aye Watan Pyare Watan"Akhtar HussainTribute to Amanat Ali Khan"Mein Ura"Ali ZafarTribute to Pakistan Air Force2022"Hum Mustafavi Hain"Jamiluddin AaliMusic recreated by Zafar and Baqir Abbas for 2022 Islamic Summit Conference, anthem released by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting; originally composed by Sohail Rana and sung by Mehdi Zaheer for 2nd Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Summit
Coke Studio + Coke Studio Pakistan Year Season Song Co-singer(s) Notes20081"Rangeen""Janay Na Koi""Channo""Chal Dil Meray""Allah Hu"Saaein Tufail Ahmed20092"Dastaan-e-Ishq"rehearsal version; later, completed in album"Yar Daddi"originally sung by Muhammad Juman"Nahi Ray Nahi"20158"Sohni Dharti"Season's ft. artists"Rockstar"Song of the Year winner"Ae Dil"Sara Haidercover from 1963 film Ek Tera Sahara"Ajj Din Vehre Vich"written by Shahnawaz Zaidi; composed by Asrar Hussain Chishti201710"Qaumi Taranah"Season's ft. artists"Jaan-e-Bahaaraan""Julie"ft. Danyal Zafar; guitar"Yo Soch"Natasha Khan"Us Rah Par"Ali Hamza ft. Stringsoriginally written by Shoaib Mansoor; sung by Junaid Jamshed and released for his 1999 album Us Rah Par
Lux Style Awards + Lux Style Awards Year Ceremony Song Notes20065th"Kharayaan Day Naal"20076th"Sajania"201211thMedley"Mujhe Tum Nazar Sai"tribute to Mehdi Hassan201514th"Rockstar"studio version201615th"Dil Se Bara"LSA anniversary special"Mere Maula"tribute to Amjad Sabri; co-singers Ali Sethi and Quratulain Balouch201716th"Ishq"202221stCultural Medleyft. Urooj Fatima, Abid Brohi, Gul Panra, and Fortitude Pukhtoon Core
Sports + Sport in Pakistan Year Song Notes2011"Rise For Jazba" Pakistan cricket team's songs for 2011 Cricket World Cup"Duniya Hai Dil Walon Ki" 2015"Ab Khel Ke Dikha"2016 Pakistan Super League's official anthem2016"Chakka Choka"Islamabad United official theme song"Life is Chest of Test"Theme song for International PACES Competition; co-singers Damia Farooq and her sister Parisa Farooq2017"Ab Khel Jamay Ga"2017 Pakistan Super League's official anthem2018"Dil Se Jaan Laga De"2018 Pakistan Super League's official anthem2020"Mela Loot Liya"Cricket anthem for Pakistan ft. fans2021"Game Bun Gayi"Sponsored by Garena Free Fire; ft. Rap by Alistair Alvin2022"Dabangg"For team DHA Dabanggs, Karachi Tape Ball Premier League2023"Maza Aya"Ft. Hashim Nawaz"Bahadur"Ft. Abid Brohi; for team Hyderabad Bahadurs, Sindh Premier League2024"Khul Ke Khel"2024 Pakistan Super League's official anthem with Aima Baig2025"X Dekho"2025 Pakistan Super League's official anthem with Abrar Ul Haq, Talha Anjum, and Natasha Baig
Poetries Year Title Notes2007"Those For Truth"Composed by Fuzz2008"Where do we go from Here?"Recited in Dawn News show TalkBack with Wajahat Saeed Khan2017"Aks"Recited in Dunya News show Mahaaz with Wajahat Saeed Khan"Kuch to Ghalat ho Raha Hai"2018"Aurat"Recited in Miss Veet 2017 Grand Finale"Khayaal"2019"Haqeeqatein""Hamd-o-Naat"Dua composed by Hassan Badshah; video directed by Adnan Tariq"Imagine"Re-written by Zafar to reflect the context of social media; originally by John Lennon"Happy New Year"2020"Ko Ko Corona"Rendition of Ahmed Rushdi's "Ko Ko Korina"; re-written by Zafar in view of COVID-19 pandemic"Sukoon""Tum Ghalat, Mein Sahi""What happened while I was gone"Twitter voice note2023"Ho Tum"Women's day"Faslon Ko Takalluf"Naat written by Iqbal Azeem and originally performed by Waheed Zafar Qasmi2025"Wey Bandiya""Qaseeda Burda Shareef"Additional lyrics by Zafar"Aurat Wo Hai"In wake of a tragedy; killing of Sana Yousaf, a teenage social media influencer"Noor-e-Khuda"Naat"Sohna Nabi"Naat
Covers and tributes Year Song Notes2008"Neele Neele Ambar Par"Cover from soundtrack Kalaakaar2010"Ain't No Sunshine"Cover of Bill Withers's original2011"Are You Lonesome Tonight?"Tribute to Elvis Presley"Dil Aaj Shayar"Cover from soundtrack Gambler; tribute to Dev Anand2014MedleysTribute to Raj Kapoor, in 1st Star Box Office Awards with Ayushmann KhurranaTribute to Amitabh Bachchan, in grand finale of Kaun Banega Crorepati2015"Aitebar"Tribute to Junaid Jamshed by covering his original for album Aitebar by Vital Signs2016"Angel"Rendition of Taher Shah's song"Jaane Woh Kaise Log The"Cover from soundtrack Pyaasa2018"Jab Tere Sheher Se"Cover from soundtrack Waadah2019"Laila o Laila"Ft. debutant Urooj Fatima; original folk song for Culture of Balochistan by Faiz Mohammad Baloch"Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua"Tribute to Allama Iqbal on his birthday"Kuch To Log Kahein Ge"Cover from soundtrack Amar Prem2020"Bekas Pe Karam Kijiye"Cover from soundtrack Mughal-e-Azam"Allay"For Culture of Sindh ft. Urooj Fatima and Abid Brohi2021"Paharon Ki Qasam"Tribute to Ali Sadpara; originally sung by Kamal Masood"Balaghal Ula Bi Kamaalihi"Naat about Muhammad's Isra' and Mi'raj; arrangement by Baqir Abbas, video directed by Adnan Tariq; Qawwali in memory of Ghulam Farid Sabri, Maqbool Ahmed Sabri and Amjad Sabri"Larsha Pekhawar"For Pashtun culture ft. Gul Panra and Fortitude Pukhtoon Core2023"O Mere Dil Ke Chain"Cover from soundtrack Mere Jeevan Saathi2024"Balo Batiyan" Collaborated with Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi to recreate his Saraiki culture folk song2025"Karay Karay"Collaborated with Salman Parasto recreate his Shina language song for culture of Gilgit-Baltistan"Saiyaara"
Others Year Song Notes2007"Aaja Sajna"Hunterz ft. Zafar and Hadiqa Kiani2012"Tere Lai"2014"Chal Buleya"At Pakistan Idol S1E35; reprise from Total Siyapaa"Dhichkyaaon Doom Doom"Box office reprise, in 1st Star Box Office Awards2016"Mein Aur Tum"ft. in Junoon's Door2017"Julie"Live & Raw; by Patari.pk2018"Teefa-Julie-Rockstar"Medley at 2018 PSL opening ceremony2019"Sajna Door"Live acoustic (solo); from soundtrack Teefa in Trouble2021"Ve Mahiya"ft. Aima Baig; written by Hassan Badshah, music video by Adnan Qazi"Bhaee Hazir Hai" Rap anthem"Khushboo"2022"Maula"2023"Husn""Sushi // Woofer Paar De"With Danny Zee ft. Mykko Montana"Main Nahi Hoon""BCP Mustang"For Beaconhouse College Programme2024"Yaar Di Akh"Written by Hassan Badshah; video Zafar at Sydney's beach and Aneesa Sheikh at Los Angeles' beach"Fade"Zafar's wife made her first appearance"Munda on the Rise"with Danny Zee ft. T.I.
TV commercials