Musician, producer Haniya Aslam of Zeb and Haniya passes away

In tragic news, Pakistan’s music industry has lost one of its most beloved and talented musicians, Haniya Aslam, who passed away on Sunday, August 11, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Her Namaz e Janaza will be held in Islamabad today.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by her cousin and musical partner, Zeb Bangash, in a post on Instagram. Bangash’s post features a series of touching photographs of Haniya captioned, “Hanini”. The comment section of the post has become a space for expressions of grief and condolences, with many from the industry sharing their sorrow and fond memories of the talented musician.

Singer Rup Magon of Josh commented, “Her music will live on forever! Sending deepest condolences.” Josh honoured Aslam in its Instagram stories writing, “Today, our music fraternity lost an incredible artist and soul. You will never be forgotten Haniya. Rest in peace.”

Host and singer Dino Ali added, “She was always so sweet and a brilliant talent — I’m so sorry for your loss and pray that Allah Pak gives you and the family patience during this difficult time.” He wrote on his stories, “I am shocked and saddened by the passing of Haniya Aslam. You were always so sweet and such a warm person and an incredible talent.”

Radio host and television presenter Sophiya Anjam wrote, “My dearest Zeb, I am so, so sorry. Haniya was a brilliant artist, a warm soul and loved/respected by many. She has left memories for us all to cherish. I cannot even imagine the pain of her loved ones in this difficult time, can only make dua that may Allah make it easy. Sending you love & deepest condolences. Her music & spirit shall always be celebrated.”’

Mekaal Hasan of the famed Mekaal Hasan Band added, “This is just devastating. Haniya, you know how much I loved you, my sweetest friend. I’m so blessed to have spent so many moments with you. Rest in peace my dearest. We are all heartbroken.”

Yasir Jaswal simply wrote, “Rest in peace Haniya Aslam.”

In an Instagram post dedicated to Aslam, filmmaker Mehreen Jabbar wrote, “I don’t know where to begin. I could speak of the music she produced, the songs she sang, and how Zeb and Haniya as a band brought joy and pathos to me and so many others. I could share how she was such an incredible collaborator on so many of my projects—starting with Daam, Lala Begum, Dobara Phir Se, Ek Jhoothi Love Story, and finally Farar, where she lent one of my favourite songs of hers, ‘Aiye Re,’ as well as its background score. But beyond her artistic gifts, she was such a soft-spoken, non-judgmental, kind, endlessly curious, and loving person.”

Expressing her shock over Aslam’s sudden passing, Jabbar added, “It feels so unfair to be deprived of her presence. There was so much more she had to give, but she also left us with so much to cherish and celebrate. Haniya you will be missed so much you have no idea but I hope you do whenever you are.”

Cultural commentator Fasi Zaka also shared the tragic news on his Instagram, writing, “Haniya Aslam passes away. What a talented musician and kind soul. May she Rest in Peace. Truly saddening.”

Filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat shared, “Rest in peace, kind soul.”

Singer Faisal Kapadia wrote, “Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Haniya Aslam.”

Actor Ali Rehman Khan posted in a similar vein.

“May you rest in eternal peace you beautiful soul,” actor Sanam Saeed wrote while sharing a video of Aslam performing.

Musician and composer Zohaib Kazi called Aslam his “sister” and thanked her for all the great music. “Thank you for all the guitar riffs and great music. Thank you, for your patience with us when we worked together. Thank you for letting me steal your snacks sometimes. You’ll be missed.”

Rapper Ahmed Ali Butt, with a broken heart, said, “What a gentle soul she was. May Allah bless her in the afterlife and give strength to her family. What a terrible loss.”

Born in Kohat, Aslam, one-half of the iconic music duo Zeb and Haniya, spent her early years moving across Pakistan. She began her career as a studio intern for famed Pakistani guitarist, producer and bandleader Mekaal Hasan.

She was propelled to the limelight in 2001 with her and Bangash’s song ‘Chup’. The track’s success led to a long-term collaboration between the two.

Together, Zeb and Haniya became a sensation, known for their unique sound that blended traditional Eastern music with Western influences. Their performances on Coke Studio, particularly hits like ‘Chal Diye’, ‘Laili Jaan’, and ‘Kya Khayal Hai’, left an indelible mark on the hearts of listeners.

In 2014, Aslam made the difficult decision to step down from the group and move to Canada, where she earned an Audio Engineering Diploma (AED). Despite being abroad, she never lost touch with her Pakistani roots, which was evident in her compositions and guitar playing.

Aslam eventually returned to Pakistan, where she resumed her musical career, coming out with tracks like ‘Ayi Re’. She returned to Coke Studio with the feminist track ‘Main Irada’. Together with Rachel Viccaji, she called for women to embrace their strength.

Her work extended beyond albums as she composed songs for films such as Lala Begum, Maypole Rose, and Dobara Phir Se, showcasing her versatility and deep understanding of musical composition.

Aslam’s sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of her fans and peers. She was more than just a musician; she was a symbol of passion, resilience, and creativity and one of the few female producers in the country. Her music, which transcended borders and languages, will continue to inspire and soothe listeners for generations to come.