Performance highlights and selected moments
Zain Ali & Zohaib Ali, popularly known as Zain Zohaib, are a Lahore-based Pakistani Qawwali duo known for their powerful vocals, traditional Sufi musical heritage, and contemporary approach to Qawwali. The brothers have developed a distinctive identity by combining the spiritual depth of traditional Qawwali with modern musical arrangements, while retaining the essential vocal and rhythmic character of the genre.
The duo comes from a family deeply connected with the Qawwali tradition. Their grandfather, Ustad Haji Rehmat Ali Khan, was associated with the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, performing as a second harmonium player for many years. Zain and Zohaib also received musical guidance from their uncle, Ustad Faiz Ali Faiz.
Their music reached a much wider audience after their original Qawwali “Haiderium” was featured on Nescafé Basement Season 5 in 2019. The performance was produced by Xulfi and was recorded live with an ensemble featuring harmonium, guitars, bass, drums, synth and violin alongside the traditional Qawwali vocal arrangement.
Zain Ali and Zohaib Ali grew up surrounded by the traditions of classical and Sufi music. Their family background has played an important role in shaping their understanding of Qawwali, vocal performance and devotional poetry.
Their grandfather Ustad Haji Rehmat Ali Khan had a long association with Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This connection gave the brothers an opportunity to learn about the traditional Qawwali style and its performance discipline from within a prominent musical lineage. Their musical development also benefited from the guidance of their uncle, Ustad Faiz Ali Faiz.
The brothers have spoken about Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's influence on contemporary Qawwali and the way his work helped make the genre accessible to modern audiences while retaining its fundamental structure.
Before becoming widely known through mainstream music platforms, Zain and Zohaib were already developing their skills through traditional Qawwali and classical music.
One of their early connections with Nescafé Basement came through the fourth season, where Zain performed tabla on “Tere Jeya Hor Disdah.” Their major breakthrough followed when they returned to the platform in Season 5 with their own original Qawwali, “Haiderium.”
The Nescafé Basement performance introduced Zain Zohaib to a much larger audience and helped establish them as one of the younger Qawwali acts bringing the traditional form to contemporary listeners.
“Haiderium” remains one of the defining recordings of Zain Zohaib's career.
Released through Nescafé Basement Season 5, the song was an original composition by Zain Zohaib, with lyrics and composition credited to Zohaib Ali. The performance was produced by Xulfi and recorded live. Zain Ali and Zohaib Ali provided the lead vocals, supported by a larger ensemble of humnava singers and instrumentalists.
The track demonstrates the duo's approach to combining traditional Qawwali vocals with contemporary instrumentation. Harmonium remains central to the arrangement, while electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, synth and violin expand the musical texture.
“Haiderium” helped introduce their distinctive style to a younger generation of listeners and became closely associated with the duo's public identity.
Another major milestone in the duo's career came with Coke Studio Pakistan Season 14, where Zain Zohaib collaborated with Pakistani singer Quratulain Balouch on “Thagyan.”
The collaboration brought the brothers' Qawwali vocals into one of Pakistan's most prominent contemporary music platforms. It also demonstrated their ability to work with established mainstream vocalists while maintaining their Qawwali identity.
“Thagyan” expanded their reach beyond traditional Qawwali audiences and introduced their vocals to listeners of contemporary Pakistani music.
Zain Zohaib's music is rooted in Qawwali and Sufi music, but their arrangements frequently incorporate modern instrumentation.
Their performances can include:
Traditional Qawwali vocals
Harmonium
Tabla and traditional percussion
Humnava chorus
Classical vocal passages
Sufi poetry
Punjabi and Urdu devotional poetry
Electric and acoustic guitars
Bass
Drums
Contemporary orchestration
This combination allows the brothers to present traditional Qawwali in a format that can work across cultural festivals, concerts, corporate events, weddings and contemporary music stages.
Some notable recordings and performances associated with Zain Zohaib include:
Haiderium
Thagyan – with Quratulain Balouch
Ishq Hularey
Naara-e-Haideri
Ranjheya Ve
Ni Main Jana Jogi De Naal
Oh Sahib – from Abdullahpur Ka Devdas
Sardaari Hussain (A.S) Di
Allah Hu
Their recorded catalogue reflects their interest in Qawwali, Sufi poetry, devotional music and contemporary interpretations of South Asian musical traditions.
The brothers have appeared on nationally recognized Pakistani music platforms, most notably Nescafé Basement and Coke Studio Pakistan.
Their appearance on Nescafé Basement provided a major platform for their original work, while the Coke Studio collaboration with Quratulain Balouch further established their ability to perform within a modern studio-production environment.
They have also performed internationally and have developed a following outside Pakistan. Current concert listings identify Lahore as their hometown and categorize their performances under Qawwali, Sufi Qawwali and related South Asian musical traditions.
Zain Zohaib's appeal extends beyond Pakistan, particularly among South Asian audiences interested in Qawwali and Sufi music.
Their international performances demonstrate the cross-border appeal of traditional Pakistani Qawwali when presented through a younger generation of performers. Concert listings have included performances in Canadian cities such as Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Surrey, reflecting their international touring activity.
In December 2023, the brothers also attracted international media attention for performing a Qawwali version of the Game of Thrones theme during a concert in Lahore, illustrating their willingness to experiment with familiar contemporary material while using a Qawwali performance format.
Zain Ali & Zohaib Ali can bring a distinctive Qawwali and Sufi music experience to a variety of events.
Their performance format can be suitable for:
Corporate dinners and celebrations
Weddings and Mehfil-e-Musiqi
Cultural festivals
University and college events
Government and institutional events
Sufi and spiritual gatherings
Private celebrations
Concerts
International Pakistani community events
Luxury entertainment events
Cultural and heritage programs
Their combination of traditional Qawwali vocals and contemporary musical arrangements makes them suitable for audiences seeking both cultural authenticity and a modern live-performance experience.
Artist Name: Zain Ali & Zohaib Ali / Zain Zohaib
Based In: Lahore, Pakistan
Genre: Qawwali, Sufi Music, Sufi Qawwali
Primary Performance: Qawwali
Languages: Punjabi, Urdu and traditional South Asian devotional repertoire
Artist Type: Qawwali Duo / Qawwali Group
Known For: Haiderium, Thagyan, Nescafé Basement, Coke Studio Pakistan
Musical Heritage: Qawwali family lineage associated with Ustad Haji Rehmat Ali Khan
Booking: Concerts, Corporate Events, Weddings, Cultural Festivals, Private Events and International Shows
For audiences looking to experience contemporary Pakistani Qawwali with strong traditional roots, Zain Ali & Zohaib Ali Qawwals offer a performance centered around powerful vocals, Sufi poetry, rhythmic energy and live ensemble music.
Their appearance on Nescafé Basement, collaboration on Coke Studio Pakistan's “Thagyan,” and continued live performances have established Zain Zohaib as a recognizable young Qawwali act from Lahore.
For concert bookings, corporate entertainment, weddings, cultural festivals, private functions and international events, Zain Ali & Zohaib Ali can be booked through Fankar Online, Pakistan's artist booking and facilitation platform.
Zain Ali Zohaib Ali Qawwals is doing shows, events and concerts all over the world. It’s very easy to be approached and Booked for Events with Fankar Online, A Registered company with vast experience of artist facilitation & Event Planning.
Zain Ali Zohaib Ali Qawwals is well known and Highly engaged Artist.
Charges of artist for event, show or concert changes time to time and depends on few factors like how much traveling is require, how they will travel, Stay and Performance Fee.