‘Collaboration and cooperation is the only way towards peace and artists are the only people who can keep the peace process alive whether they are from Pakistan or India; there are people from both sides who are working for peace, which is needed in the continent,” said Jawad Ahmed, the popular Pakistani pop singer in an exclusive interview with Saudi Gazette during his recent visit to the Kingdom. Ahmed was in Jeddah to perform at a musical night for his fans in Jeddah. Jawad is working in collaboration with the Aman Ki Asha initiative by Times of India and GEO for the purpose of keeping peace and harmony in the region. “On a political or diplomatic front, I am not saying that they have failed but their progress is very gradual. When artists visit each other's countries and their songs become ‘hits' and people on both sides like them, it has not happened gradually but rather suddenly. And when we talk about art, we are talking about something apart from bomb explosions,” he remarked. “So we artists always say that we have nothing to do with these terrorist attacks, these anti-state people have no control on us and that the governments of both the countries are working on the issue but we are now working on the peace process separately.” Ahmed has made his first film “Versa” under the banner of Aman Ki Asha, with the aim of bringing peace to both countries. “We made this first creative history of cinema as a co-production of both countries as ‘Versa' is an Indo-Pak joint venture between the film industries of both countries and financial investment from both sides. This film was released May 7 this year simultaneously in Pakistan, India, Canada, America, England, Europe and the Middle East,” he added. Ahmed is a significant propagator of joint ventures with India. “I think if we establish joint ventures or collaboration projects with India, then Pakistani films will get an Indian market and we can invest more and reach an international audience. Our talented producers and actors will also be able to come to the fore,” he said. “Bollywood is a big film industry and releases almost 1,000 films a year. They have a number of productions and their film budgets are double those of any Pakistani film.” Ahmed has worked in India before. His first song in India was a collaboration with legendary singer Asha Bhoslay “Main Ik Din Lot Ker Awoon Ga” (I will return one day). “That was the first time I went to India and had an amazing experience. I sang with Alka Yagnik and Sunidhi Chauhan and realized that this ‘explosion' of art was very interesting, and that's where I became interested in co-productions,” he stated. Ahmed is also spear-heading a program against illiteracy in Pakistan, and has been involved in the initiative for some years. In addition, he is also running 14 schools in the most backward and underdeveloped schools in Pakistan under the Taleem For All (Education for all) trust. “I have no plans to expand them as the current system and situation in Pakistan are both corrupt and I don't want anything like that,” he remarked. “I think people should be educated about their rights and this chain of schools was opened on a ‘one school one teacher' basis in an informal system. Charities cannot help this country, only the political system can do something, even the enhancement of education.” Ahmed added that when he first started the project, he wanted to educate children who can't afford education and teach them about their rights. He also wanted to represent them as economic privileges are only available to a minority and 70 percent of the people have a below-average income. “So we thought of this charity intiative and then realized that charity has also become a means for publicity, so I think people in Pakistan should come forward in a political movement and change things; when the poor man will come to parliament and handle his won problems, only then can this country do anything, otherwise, ruling political parties will destroy the country,” he remarked. Ahmed is also an advocate of the water shortage problem Pakistan faces. “At the moment, the biggest problem in our country is water. If there is no water, we cannot support the agricultural system, without which we are finished.” Born Sept. 29, 1970, to parents who are both professors of Political Science, he studied Mechanical Engineering himself at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, and had never taken any formal training in music. His career is preceded by active participation in various societies at university, which he claims formed the basis of his serious consideration of the music field. He now writes most of his songs himself. “I've never had any difficulty in the field as I am a very good listener. I used to listen to and admire all the famous singers in the region like Noor Jehan, Mehdi Hassan, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Tufail Niazi, Pathanay Khan, Hamid Ali Bela, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi,” he explained. He began his musical career in 2000 when his first album “Bol Tujhay Kya Chahiye” was released. So instant and explosive was his fame, that he was instantly recognized on the streets whenever he ventured out. “One day my car had broken down on the road and as I was inspecting it, a number of people came to help me and offered to fix it. In fact, one mechanic even fixed it for me there and then!” he reminisced. Aside from his albums, Ahmed is also credited with the music direction of the film “Moosa Khan” produced and directed by actor Shaan. In line with this, another hit song, “Mehndi” was composed and sung by him. It gained immense popularity due to its melodious depiction of emotions using folk beat. Ahmed has been appointed by US-Aid and UNICEF as the ambassador of Pakistan for the eradication of polio and by the British Council Beyond Borders project for awareness regarding the dangers of drug addiction. In this regard, he has used his talent to produce a song called “Tum abhi to aa kar” accompanied by a video to portray the social impact on an individual from drug abuse. “Drugs are a major social problem in Pakistan but the situation is much better now because of the efforts of individuals and the government,” he said.
