Millennials defend Fawad Khan after backlash over his role as judge on Pakistan Idol

Lollywood superstar Fawad Khan has become the center of online debate after some social media users questioned his credibility as a judge on Pakistan Idol. Critics argued that Fawad, now better known for his acting career, may not be the right choice to evaluate aspiring singers.

However, fans, particularly millennials who grew up in the early 2000s, were quick to defend him, reminding everyone of his musical roots as a vocalist and songwriter of the iconic band Entity Paradigm (EP).

Many shared clips of his old performances, highlighting his contribution to Pakistan’s pop-rock scene and his chart-topping hits that defined an era.

Fawad Khan currently sits on the judging panel alongside music maestro Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Bilal Maqsood, and Zeb Bangash, as they assess hundreds of talented contestants from across the country.

The show’s audition episodes have already gained massive traction, with fans praising the raw talent of Pakistan’s emerging singers.

Read more: Karachi rider Sarfaraz Ali wins hearts with soulful voice on Pakistan Idol

The debate intensified after playback singer Humaira Arshad publicly questioned Fawad’s appointment, stating that judging music “requires years of training and technical expertise,” which she claimed Fawad lacks.

Despite the criticism, many believe the backlash mainly stems from Gen Z viewers who know Fawad only as an actor, unlike older fans who remember him as one of Pakistan’s most popular rock vocalists.

Fawad Khan is such a good looking that he even listens in a beautiful manner in this Pakistan Idol. While the rest of us troll are like pic.twitter.com/8Dh3l16zNa

— Jibby (@JibbyD) October 20, 2025

calling fawad khan aka the lead singer of EP the weakest link is diabolical.... stick to reviewing dramas about teacher student romances, music is not your forte. anyway enjoy this clip of waqt 🤗 https://t.co/mC8Zh9DEdU pic.twitter.com/NSeQlMqyfH

— ۳ (@meenaloyedaryab) October 20, 2025

Only OG listeners of Pepsi Battle of the Bands or Nescafé Basement know why Fawad Khan judging Pakistan Idol.#FawadKhan https://t.co/khDcUZMUCn pic.twitter.com/zLb2lUjeB1

— H.K (@HVoiccee) October 16, 2025

Let’s be honest Fawad Khan and Bilal Maqsood have far deeper understanding of singing and music than Humaira Arshad. Her remarks clearly come across as driven by envy rather than insight.#PakistanIdol I #FawadKhanpic.twitter.com/MXpihvUhOf

— Pakistan Cricket Team USA FC (@DoctorofCricket) October 22, 2025

I don’t get all the hate for Fawad Khan as a judge. You need to have all kinds of artists in the panel, it was fine even if he was just an actor but EP was the best band of our times. No one ever came close to their live performances, no band could do what they did LIVE.

— Saman Tariq (@stariq88) October 21, 2025

Fawad Khan the singer under utilized himself! that guy could've gone miles ahead of the others we see today had he hung in there! EP's Hamesha and Waqt are a prime example of the heights Fawad could've reached had he not pursued acting way too seriously but again everyone needs… https://t.co/Qkt4kTQ85r

— imran 🇵🇰 (@ikonomical) October 22, 2025

Chup Chaap
Chup ho jain ap log
Gen Z ko kiya janay 😭
They only knows Fawad Khan - The Actor

Ah, the nostalgia of the 90s! For those of us who lived through that era know what Fawad Khan was for Entity Paradigm. https://t.co/d806fnQmUm

— Azam-K (@MusafirNagri) October 16, 2025

Seriously!!#FawadKhan is a bonafide musician as well as an actor!
Know your shit!

I wouldn't have been SO revolted and alarmed by the arrogant, wilful and self entitled ignorance of the Gen Z and Gen Alpha if I didn't have to engage with them daily in real life. pic.twitter.com/N0MCN8EGKC

— Amrita (@_Hinkypunk_) October 18, 2025

Pakistan Idol >>>>>>> Endian Idol.

& gen z… sit this one down, if you don’t even know what EP was, then seriously, shut the f up. Fawad Khan isn’t there just to look good, he is there because of EP, the band that defined a whole era ❤️🫠

pic.twitter.com/7wU6f4boXQ

— Nay (@itsblinderhere) October 19, 2025

Fawad Khan has literally judged multiple seasons of Pepsi Battle of the Bands before. A show he himself contested in his youth and his band came 2nd. https://t.co/Zy4CfN1lVB

— Pixiedust💫 (@Pixiedust941) October 21, 2025