The National Anthem Re-recording Steering Committee has unanimously decided to ensure the highest international standards of orchestration and vocal rendering for the re-recording of the national anthem.

The decision was made at a meeting held at the Pakistan Arts Council in Karachi last week. The first recording which remains the only official recording was made in 1954.

Over the past 60 years, revolutionary changes have been made to recording vocals and music to deliver optimal clarity and tonal precision using digital technology.

For the vocal version as well, it was decided to bring together a large choir of around 120 to 150 talented singers from the four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in order to make the new official recording truly representative. and participatory of the whole federation, including religious denominations.

In considering the distinctive quality of Army, Air Force and Navy bands, it was also decided to make every effort to utilize and further improve the instrumental ability of locally available musicians while exploring the possibility of use orchestras from friendly overseas countries which have permanent national orchestras to record only the instrumental version. The vocal version will be rendered entirely by Pakistani singers.

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Although it has enormous musical talent, Pakistan does not have a permanent national orchestra unlike many other countries, including Muslim countries like Turkey. Pakistan also does not have the most advanced local sound recording facilities.

Expressions of interest have already been requested from film and video producers in Pakistan to provide proposals for the creation of a new video (one minute 20 seconds long) presenting the new sound version. re-recorded.

The committee noted the need to complete its task well in time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence which will take place in 2022.

Aspects of preparation and production logistics and costs were also discussed in detail.

The steering committee was notified by the federal government in June and subsequently expanded to ensure maximum representation.

The meeting held on September 25 was chaired by the Chairman of the Committee, former Senator and Federal Minister Javed Jabbar. Members include renowned musicologists Arshad Mahmud, Rohail Hayat and Nafees Ahmed, Director of Productions, ISPR Brigadier Imran Naqvi, Head of Film Sector Satish Anand, Shahera Shahid, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Imrana Wazir, Director , electronic media and publications in the Ministry of Information and personalities associated with the creative arts and education from the four provinces.