A special celebration was held at Pearl Continental Lahore to honour British-Pakistani soprano and created of world new music genre Sufi opera Saira Peter following her selection for the highest presidential award Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Star of excellence in recognition of her outstanding contribution to music and the performing arts.
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Expressing her gratitude on the occasion, Saira Peter thanked the Government of Pakistan, the media and the people of Pakistan for their great support, saying the honour was a deeply meaningful moment in her artistic journey and a recognition not only of her work but also of Pakistan’s rich musical and cultural heritage.
The gathering was attended by prominent personalities from the music and performing arts fraternity, including renowned music composer Naveed Nashaad, noted songwriter Zafar Francis, and British music director Stephen Smith, who joined in celebrating Saira Peter’s national recognition and her contribution to promoting Pakistani music and poetry on international platforms.
The Government of Pakistan has selected Saira Peter among the recipients of the 2026 civil awards, with the award recognising her services to music and the performing arts. The 2026 list announced on Independence Day included Saira John Peter among artists being recognised for their contributions.
Born in Karachi, Saira Peter is a British-Pakistani soprano who has been recognised as a pioneer of the Sufi opera genre. According to her biographical profile, she developed a distinctive artistic style by bringing together Western classical opera with South Asian classical and Sufi musical traditions. She pursued Western classical vocal training after moving to London and also studied raagdari with accomplished practitioners of the classical tradition.
Peter’s artistic identity is built around what she has described as a merging of two musical worlds: Western classical music and Pakistani musical traditions. Her performances frequently incorporate Pakistani poetry, traditional melodies and themes of spirituality, peace and cultural harmony, presented through the power and technique of operatic singing.
Over the years, she has performed at major cultural, diplomatic and international platforms and has represented Pakistan through music at home and abroad. She has also performed at the Aiwan-e-Sadr and other prestigious venues, using her distinctive voice and repertoire to introduce Pakistani poetry and Sufi thought to audiences beyond South Asia.
Peter is also associated with arts education and cultural development. She is the founder of the Saira Arts Academy and serves as director of NJ Arts London, a multicultural performing arts centre. Her work has extended beyond performance to nurturing musical talent and creating opportunities for the development of opera and performing arts.
Her recognition with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz is being viewed as an important acknowledgement of a career dedicated to building bridges between Eastern and Western musical traditions. Her journey also highlights the contribution of overseas Pakistanis who continue to promote the country’s literature, music, spirituality and cultural identity on international stages.
The celebration at Pearl Continental Lahore brought together artists, composers, writers and music professionals to acknowledge Peter’s achievement and her continuing efforts to place Pakistani music and Sufi poetry within a broader international artistic landscape.
