As ‘Pasoori’ tops YouTube charts, creators say global journey ‘only beginning’ for Pakistani music

This screengrab, taken on December 27, 2022 from the music video of popular song Pasoori, released by Coke Studio Pakistan on February 7, 2022, shows Pakistani singers Ali Sethi and Shae Gill. (Photo courtesy: Coke Studio)
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Updated 27 December 2022
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As ‘Pasoori’ tops YouTube charts, creators say global journey ‘only beginning’ for Pakistani music

  • Punjabi-language song sung by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill was featured on Coke Studio Pakistan’s Season 14 this year
  • Since its release, track has crossed 475 million views on YouTube, coming 53rd on “global top music videos” list

KARACHI: The creators of the globally acclaimed Pakistani song ‘Pasoori,’ which made it to YouTube’s global music video charts last week, said on Tuesday the song’s success had proved that Pakistani music and content was "world class" and its journey to global success was "only beginning."

The Punjabi-language pop-folk song sung by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill was featured on Coke Studio Pakistan’s Season 14 this year. Since its release, the track has crossed 475 million views on YouTube and made it to 53rd spot on the “global top music videos” list on the website.

The song also topped Google's list of songs most hummed to search in 2022 and became the first Pakistani song to rank third on the Spotify’s Global Viral 50 list.

“I am sure everyone will have their own stories knitted from Pasoori’s ideology and narrative of love, liberation, transcending boundaries and communal oneness,” Coke Studio Season 14 producer Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan told Arab News on Tuesday, saying the song had “something that makes people feel ‘together’.”

“That unified emotion is very powerful. Songs that succeed on that level, they all achieve that power,” he said. "A song’s timelessness is in its ability to talk authentically to people. To not just a few people, but to communities, to ideologies, to individual sensitivities. To give people emotional threads of relatability.”

Coke Studio Pakistan manager, Zeeshan Sikandar, said the response to Pasoori had solidified the belief that Pakistani music and content was “world-class.”

“Pasoori’s narrative of transcending borders and boundaries has made it resonate with so many fans across the globe. The Coke Studio community is present in over 180 countries, and we believe it is this community that has helped us create this level of impact.”

“[With Coke Studio Season 14,] we aimed to showcase Pakistani music that is world-class,” Sikandar said, “and the response we received has made us realize we are onto something and that the journey is only beginning.”


Jessica Alba hails AlUla during Saudi Arabia visit

Updated 19 December 2025
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Jessica Alba hails AlUla during Saudi Arabia visit

  • On her Instagram profile, Alba described AlUla as “pure magic, calm, protected, deeply serene”

LONDON: Hollywood star Jessica Alba shared her admiration for AlUla during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, sharing a video of the ancient desert destination on her social media channels.

The short clip, posted Dec. 10, showed the “Fantastic Four” star spinning on the spot with the famous rock formations in the background.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba)

On her Instagram profile, she described AlUla as “pure magic, calm, protected, deeply serene,” adding: “Every direction carried the weight and beauty of ancient history - like wandering through a living museum.” 

The actress was in the Kingdom earlier this month to attend the Red Sea International Film Festival.

The actress was among a host of global stars who attended the the fifth edition of the RSlFF, which kicked off on Dec. 4 with a glittering red-carpet ceremony at Culture Square, the festival’s open-air hub.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba)

Alba joined an A-list lineup that included the likes of Adrien Brody, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kirsten Dunst, Vin Diesel, Queen Latifah, Dakota Johnson, Ana de Armas, Riz Ahmed, Naomie Harris and Uma Thurman, alongside Saudi, regional stars and international film legends.

The event ran until Dec. 13 and showcased more than 100 films from over 50 countries, with its mission to bridge East and West while spotlighting voices from the Middle East and Africa.

During her visit to the Kingdom, Alba also shared several “get ready with me” clips and behind-the-scenes shots from the red carpet ceremony.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba)

Alba’s visit comes as Saudi Arabia continues to attract global creatives and cultural figures, with AlUla increasingly positioned as a must-visit destination for international visitors as well as a shooting location for some of Hollywood’s biggest studios.