"My voice is mine. My truth belongs to me."
Pakistan Idol has been pushed into major controversy after contestant Ibrar Shahid abruptly left the show.
He publicly claimed the production created an environment that felt unfair, discouraging, and emotionally overwhelming.
Shahid said he walked out during the December 9, 2025, shoot and filmed his journey to the studio to document the moment clearly.
He told viewers that frustration mounted after the show uploaded his performance.
Shahid believed the audio sounded heavily altered and unrecognisable compared to his real voice.
He claimed: “It was heavily autotuned. So much that it didn’t sound like me anymore.
“My voice is mine. My truth belongs to me.”
He commented under the video to clarify the issue and said the team immediately demanded that he delete the remark.
According to him, the pressure to remain silent became the final push that convinced him he could not continue participating.
He claimed the team discouraged him from the beginning and insisted he could not understand why he felt consistently sidelined.
Shahid said he was warned that speaking publicly could result in legal action, which he described as deeply unsettling.
He added that viewers were shown a polished narrative that did not reflect the real backstage reality observed by contestants.
Shahid insisted that none of his performances were scripted and claimed the production shaped moments for dramatic effect rather than authenticity.
He said the behaviour he experienced damaged his confidence and disheartened supporters, including teachers and classmates from the National College of Arts.
Shahid acknowledged that leaving could create professional challenges but said he felt obligated to speak because remaining silent felt dishonest. He questioned:
“Is it my fault that I want to make good music?”
Pakistan Idol responded with a strong statement describing his allegations as false, misleading, and harmful to the integrity of the competition.
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The team said the franchise follows international standards established by Fremantle, which oversees all global versions of the Idol format.
They stated that the audition process, the mentoring stages, and the broadcast edits all adhere to transparent guidelines designed to maintain fairness.
The statement said he withdrew voluntarily and assured viewers that the production environment remains stable, respectful, and well managed.
The team added that the matter is now being addressed through appropriate legal channels to protect the reputation of the show.
Fans have filled Ibrar Shahid’s comment sections with divided reactions as some defend his courage while others question his claims.
For the moment, Pakistan Idol maintains that the competition continues normally as the remaining contestants move forward in the next episode.
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