President Arif Alvi conferred upon Nishan-e-Imtiaz award to a Sufi singer, music composer, artist and a businesswoman Abida Perveen on Pakistan Day in recognition for her outstanding service in the field of music, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Abida was awarded the award in a ceremony held at the President House in Islamabad.
The host of the ceremony narrated the following excerpts before conferring upon Nishan-e-Imtiaz, “Abida Perveen started her career in 1970s and now she is counted among the top 500 Muslim personalities in the world. Abida Perveen has got an ability to mesmerize her audience with her performances.”
She sang many sufi ghazals, thumris, qawwalis, raags, classical and semi-classical music.
Abida Perveen sang songs in Urdu, Sindhi Saraiki, Punjabi Arabic and Persian.
In 2012 Abida was also conferred upon Hilal-e-Imtiaz award, the second highest civilian award of the country.
In 2017 she was appointed as Peace Ambassador for SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).
Parveen is best known for her song ‘Yaar ko Humne’ from the album Raqs-e-Bismil and ‘Tere Ishq Nachaya’ a rendition of Bulleh Shah's poetry.