This International Women’s Day, Spotify celebrates the remarkable growth and impact of women artists in Pakistan’s music industry, showcasing a fresh trend that not only promotes women voices locally but also takes them global. With a 28% increase in streams of women artists by listeners in Pakistan over the past year, the growing prominence of female musicians in the country reflects the spirit of Women’s Day, resonating through music.
From established icons to emerging music talents, women artists in Pakistan are redefining the music landscape. And consumption data presented by Spotify Pakistan highlights some unique facts to back this. Among the top Pakistani women artists in 2024 are Annural Khalid, Nehaal Naseem, and Quratulain Balouch, all of whom continue to captivate audiences with their amazing tracks and rich voices.
Spotify’s programs for elevating artists, such as EQUAL Pakistan, Fresh Finds Pakistan, and RADAR Pakistan, have been instrumental in fueling the growth and popularity of women voices. Fresh Finds artist Bakhtawar Ghaffar saw an extraordinary 265% increase in streams within just 30 days of joining the program in April 2024. Nehaal Naseem, another Fresh Finds alum, went on to become an EQUAL Pakistan ambassador. Her song “Sadqay” ranked among the top five Pakistani tracks on Spotify Wrapped 2024, and since joining EQUAL in January 2024 she has experienced an impressive growth of more than 450%.
“Women in Pakistan’s music industry are making remarkable strides, and we’re proud to support their journey,” said Rutaba Yaqub, Senior Editor at Spotify for Pakistan & UAE. “With a 28% increase in streams of women artists by listeners in Pakistan over the past year, it’s clear that their music is resonating with a growing audience. Through initiatives like RADAR Pakistan, which spotlights emerging talent, we’re committed to ensuring women artists receive the recognition they deserve. A standout example is Annural Khalid, who has seen an incredible 1,579% increase in listenership since joining RADAR in January 2024.”
EQUAL Pakistan has particularly been a game-changer, providing women artists with the platform they deserve. The impact speaks for itself, with artists like REHMA experiencing a 195% surge in streams since joining, Mai Dhai growing by 139%, Amna Riaz by 106% and RFB by 85%. Globally, Spotify’s EQUAL initiative has supported over 1,200 ambassadors and featured more than 20,800 women artists in its playlists to date. In 2024 alone, EQUAL playlists have driven over 30 million artist discoveries, while the EQUAL hub has generated over 330,000 listening hours, allowing audiences worldwide to explore the music and stories of women artists.
Spotify’s influence extends beyond artist growth; it also shapes listening trends. In 2025, the most-streamed playlists by female Spotify users in Pakistan include Shaadi Hits, Hot Hits Pakistan and Bollywood Central, while Desi Hip Hop, Bollywood, and Indian Indie reign as the top genres among female listeners.
