ISLAMABAD: As shops in Islamabad’s busy markets began to close and the evening rush faded earlier this month, a quieter scene started to unfold in a corner of the capital.
A small group of young men gathered with guitars and microphones, transforming part of a marketplace in the F-10 sector into an informal open-air stage as passersby paused to listen.
The musicians, five or six friends from different walks of life, meet late at night to play music at different spots and parks in Islamabad for anyone who happens to stop by. Without banners, tickets or even a name for their group, they perform simply for the joy of singing, drawing curious crowds who linger with cups of tea while others lift their phones to record the moment.
Among them is guitarist Abdul Ayaan, a 24-year-old who balances a corporate job during the day with his passion for music after dark.
He said the gatherings began in mid-2024 when the friends started casually playing together but gradually grew into a regular ritual that now draws listeners wherever they set up.
“Earlier we used to jam almost every day. Now we also have jobs and family responsibilities, because you can’t really generate enough income from music alone,” Ayaan told Arab News at Islamabad’s F-10 commercial center.
“It’s not just a hobby. It’s much more than that, music is very close to my heart. I don’t expect it to make me rich or buy me a car or anything like that.”
Ayaan said the group never intended to start a public performance.
“I met some friends, and we just began playing together. Nothing was pre-planned. People kept joining us and we kept jamming,” he said.
“In our group, anyone with a good heart is welcome. Good people, those who listen, appreciate it, [all are] most welcome.”
In Islamabad, many young professionals spend their days navigating demanding office jobs and step out after sunset to unwind, meet friends or linger in public spaces.
Ali Awais, the group’s 21-year-old vocalist who works as a shoe salesman, said the performances often draw spontaneous requests from listeners.
“We sit in different places and perform. Some people come and request songs, sometimes qawwalis, sometimes ghazals,” he said.
“People around us usually take out their phones and start recording videos. It makes us feel happy that at least they are enjoying and admiring us.”
None of the group’s members have received formal training in music. Instead, they say they have been practicing and learning on their own since childhood.
At F-10 Markaz, the audience seemed to enjoy the impromptu performances. Some listeners hummed along with the band while others recorded clips on their phones.
Amir Khan, a 35-year-old visitor to the marketplace, said gatherings like these brought a welcome change to everyday life.
“Gatherings like this in markets should definitely happen, in fact, they should happen everywhere so people can get some entertainment,” he said.
Khan, who hails from Pakistan’s militancy-hit Bannu district in the northwest, said in a country where many people face economic pressures and security concerns, small moments of music could offer relief.
“It has a very positive effect on the atmosphere,” he said.
