The British-Pakistani star Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, who gained popularity for his viral singing videos, has unexpectedly branched out into politics. Chahat has formally filed his nomination papers for a seat in the National Assembly (NA), opting to run as an independent.
Holding his nomination papers in hand, Chahat, whose real name is Kashif Rana, said on the microblogging platform X (previously Twitter) that he is running for the NA-128 seat in Lahore. This development enhances Chahat’s already complex public persona. Known by most as “Chahat Fateh Ali Khan,” he became well-known on the internet for his unique singing style, which captivated millions of netizens.
Prior to being well-known in the music and political spheres, Chahat played first-class cricket in Pakistan. He played two first-class matches for the Lahore squad during the Quaid-e-Azam trophy season of 1983–1984, scoring 16 runs in three innings.
His quest for a better future eventually led him to relocate to the United Kingdom, so his journey truly crossed international boundaries. In addition, Chahat made a significant impact on the local cricket scene throughout his tenure there, playing club cricket for an amazing 12 years.
When Chahat performed the national anthem for the eighth Pakistan Super League match (PSL8), he became extremely famous. As Pakistani music aficionados remarked on the hymn and several users ridiculed him for his vocal abilities and stage name—an unmistakable homage to Pakistan’s most renowned qawaal and singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan—he became an internet phenomenon.
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