India Covid crisis: Pakistani singer pours his heart out to show solidarity

Dubai - Imran Hashmi composed the song Hum Tere Sath Hain after being moved by the plight of people.

As India battles to contain one of the world’s worst coronavirus outbreaks, with a record 400,000 new infections reported, and with hospitals running out of precious oxygen and medical supply, a young Pakistani singer from Lahore has composed a song to show solidarity with India during what is perhaps one of a most tragic periods in its history.

Moved by the plight and sufferings of the people in the neighbouring country, singer-songwriter Imran Hashmi, 26, wrote, composed and performed the heart-rending ballad Hum Tere Sath Hain.

“I was shaken to the core as I watched on television the worsening situation in India and the destruction coronavirus was leaving in its path. It’s Ramadan, a time for compassion and I wanted to show our neighbours that we stand with them in their hour of need. I immediately started working on the song and penned the lyrics, which is about solidarity and hope,” Hashmi told Khaleej Times over the phone from his hometown Lahore.

While many artistes use music to promote peace, love, Hashmi’s song is on a different level, it talks about harmony and brotherhood. The song, being played on his official YouTube channel, has received a tremendous response from all around the world.

Hashmi said he has always dreamt of becoming an ambassador of peace between Pakistan and India and he has now taken a step towards that with his music.

“I might be a random boy from Lahore, but I believe through my music I can spread the message of peace across the border and I’m also expecting them to reciprocate in the same way. I feel humbled to know my message of love and peace in my song is now being spread across the world and I am also glad to know that Pakistan is being seen as a peace-loving nation,” Hashmi said.