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    Pepsi's 'Chamke Hum Se Pakistan' - Celebrating Our Unsung Heroes

    Chamke Hum Se Pakistan at LUMS

    Written by: Mir Sanaullah Khan
    Posted on: September 15, 2015 | | 中文

    The legends reunited on stage

    The ‘90s were unquestionably the golden era of Pakistani pop music. Vital Signs and Junoon were the superstars of this period. Dil Dil Pakistan and Aye Jazba Junoon are timeless tunes that are embedded deeply in every Pakistani heart. Now, 20 years later, rarely does one get to see these stars together on one stage. Last weekend, however, Pepsi brought individuals from these legendary bands as well as other stars from various fields under its initiative Chamke Hum Se Pakistan at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The initiative is aimed at celebrating Pakistan’s unsung heroes and paying tribute to our legends.

    Chamke Hum Se Pakistan at LUMS

    Salman Ahmad entertained with his musical brilliance

    The event started with musical maestro Salman Ahmad of Junoon playing the National Anthem on his guitar. The entire LUMS crowd stood up to sing the Anthem with him. They roared when he effortlessly shifted the tune to Junoon Se and then to Yaaro Yehi Dosti Hai. Salman Ahmad didn’t just sing; he engaged the audience with fascinating anecdotes from his career. He recalled how Sufi music was considered “uncool” during his youth, and how he dared to bring it into the mainstream by fusing it with pop music, which is the prevalent trend of today. The focus of his discourse was finding one’s soul and the purpose of one’s existence. He explained that he struggles to find this answer through his music. He also encouraged the youth to have faith in their abilities and to experiment with their various talents.

    Next up on stage was Farhad Humayun, who talked about Pepsi’s initiative to support Pakistan’s unsung heroes and pay tribute to the legends present at the occasion. He invited Shahi Hasan on stage, who is a renowned musician, record producer, bass guitarist, music industry executive, and co-founder of the Vital Signs. Unsurprisingly, there was a huge round of applause for Shahi. Through his inspirational words, he motivated the young crowd to work hard and believe in their dreams. The best part, however, was when Salman Ahmad joined him on stage to sing Aye Jazba Junoon once again.

    Chamke Hum Se Pakistan at LUMS

    Zeeshan Abbasi, the fastest blind bowler in the world

    The stage was then given to the Chaand Sitaras of Pakistan, the young heroes who have made us proud on global platforms. First up was Saad Ali, a young Formula One driver who has won international accolades for his performances. He said, and I quote, “Pursue your dreams; you’ve got only one life, and what better way to live it than chasing your dreams!” The passion and energy of this individual for what he loved was unmatched – something that the event hoped to instill in the audience as well. Zeeshan Abbasi, the fastest blind bowler in the world, was the next hero to grace the stage. His advice to the youth was on diligent work and belief in the Almighty. A very emotional moment ensued, as the audience ensured the hero of its support through constant cheers and thunderous applause.

    Goher Mumtaz of the band Jal made a surprise entry and stunned everyone in the audience. Goher revealed that the inspiration behind Jal wasn’t Led Zeppelin; it was Vital Signs and Junoon! Soon, Junaid Jamshed, the face of Vital Signs, joined him on stage. Junaid said that even though he had quit singing, it was love for the youth of Pakistan that brought him back on stage. Junaid took the crowd on a trip down memory lane as he sang some of his older gems along with Goher, from Dil Dil Pakistan and Hum Hain Pakistani to Tera Karam Maula.

    Chamke Hum Se Pakistan at LUMS

    Salman Ahmed, Junaid Jamshed and Goher Mumtaz singing among the crowd

    Near the end, all the stars came out to sing Pepsi’s Chand Sitara, during which Junaid Jamshed and Salman Ahmed got off stage to mingle in the crowd. The feeling of no boundaries between the audience and the stars was overwhelming. Salman was the one to call it a night, and he could not have concluded it in a better way than to make the crowd rumble the most patriotic chant, Pakistan Zindabad!


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021