Imagine trading blueprints for raags; that’s how Ayla Musharraf moved from designing buildings to shaping Pakistan’s cultural heartbeat.
In a society where public identity often overshadows personal passions, Ayla’s journey stands out as a blend of design sensibility, cultural love, and quiet resilience. This is the story of a woman who refused to stay confined by expectations, and carved her own meaningful path.
From Sketches to Stage: Ayla Musharraf’s Early Path
Ayla, sometimes called Ayla Raza, was born on February 18, 1970, in Karachi, into a family with deep respect for music and the arts.
She started her architecture studies at a technical college in Karachi, but political and student unrest in the late 1980s pushed her to move to Lahore. There, she joined the prestigious National College of Arts (NCA) and earned her Bachelor of Architecture.
At the same time, her college years exposed her to classical music concerts by the All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) and other music forums, experiences that would quietly reshape her life.
When Architecture Met The Creative Industry
After graduation, Ayla briefly worked as an architect. Meanwhile, fate introduced her to Asim Raza (her future husband), also an architecture student, at their college in Karachi.
Asim, who later turned into a successful film and TV‑commercial director, shared Ayla’s creative leanings.
But for Ayla, her love for classical music and cultural preservation kept tugging at her heart. After moving to Karachi post‑marriage, she met with Hayat Ahmed Khan, founder of APMC, at a cultural event. When she asked, Why not host classical music concerts in Karachi too, that conversation sparked something bigger.
With his encouragement and support from fellow enthusiasts, Ayla succeeded in organising APMC’s first Karachi concert in 2004.
Ayla Musharraf & APMC Karachi
After her architectural career ended around 2010, Ayla embraced a new mission: to revive and promote classical music and traditional performing arts, especially in Karachi. She became the first General Secretary, then Director of APMC Karachi.
Under her leadership, APMC Karachi hosted regular concerts, cultural events, and music gatherings aimed at preserving Pakistan’s classical heritage. According to her interview, organising cultural events, free for the audience, has never been easy: funding is scarce, sponsors are rare, and public interest is limited compared to pop culture. Yet, she kept going.
In a city where art often struggles to find space, Ayla’s work stands as a testament to passion, perseverance, and belief in cultural roots.
Ayla Musharraf’s Personal World
Publicly, she’s known for being the daughter of Pervez Musharraf, former army chief and ex‑President of Pakistan. But that identity only tells part of the story.
Ayla is married to Asim Raza, the film/TV director whose own journey began in architecture. Together, they have two daughters: Maryam Raza (a budding music‑video director) and Zainab Raza (a stylist), carrying forward the family’s creative legacy.
This blending of architecture, film, music and art, across generations, shows how creativity can take many forms in one family.
Challenges, Threats & Courage
Despite her cultural contributions, Ayla’s journey hasn’t been without turbulence. In July 2013, media and intelligence reports revealed she was under threat from banned militant organisations in Karachi, a risk connected to her father’s political past.
Still, even after such threats, she continued her work, a quiet form of resistance: promoting art, culture and normalcy in a city that sorely needs both.
Why Ayla Musharraf’s Story Matters
When it comes to bridging Pakistan’s architecture, arts, and cultural revival, few names stand out like Ayla Musharraf. Her story isn’t just about fame or family; it’s about passion, vision, and shaping a legacy that inspires others.
- Cultural Revival: Through APMC Karachi, Ayla revived classical music and traditional arts in a city dominated by pop culture and fast trends.
- Cross‑Industry Connection: Her personal life resonates across architecture, film, music, and the arts, showing how creative industries can intersect beautifully.
- Strength & Identity: Despite political baggage and threats, Ayla carved her own identity, not just “Pervez Musharraf’s daughter,” but a cultural promoter, architect and change‑maker.
- Legacy Building: Her daughters are following creative paths, suggesting that passion and art run deep in the family tree.
Legacy In Harmony
Ayla Musharraf’s journey shows how one person can shift gears, from architecture to the arts, and use passion to keep culture alive. Her story doesn’t just belong to her; it belongs to Karachi, to classical music lovers, to those who believe that art matters.
If you care about Pakistan’s heritage and creative future, take a moment the next time there’s a classical concert, a traditional play, or even a small cultural gathering. Attend. Support. Share. Because culture lives not just in buildings or paintings, but in people.
Want to explore more about Pakistan’s architectural and cultural icons? Check out inspiring stories like how Yasmeen Lari became the first Pakistani woman architect to receive the King Charles Royal Gold Medal, or how British architects are leading new developments like “One Homes Lahore” blending global design with local needs.
Keep reading. Keep supporting. Because real culture needs real people.
FAQs
Q: What is Ayla Musharraf’s educational background?
A: She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, after transferring from a Karachi engineering college due to unrest.
Q: Who is her husband and what does he do?
A: Her husband is Asim Raza, a well-known Pakistani film and TV‑commercial director and producer who also started out as an architect.
Q: What’s her role in APMC Karachi?
A: Ayla is the Director of APMC Karachi and previously served as its General Secretary. Through her leadership, the organisation has hosted many classical music concerts and cultural events since 2004.
Q: Does she have children following creative paths?
A: Yes, her daughters, Maryam Raza (a music‑video director) and Zainab Raza (a stylist), are active in Pakistan’s entertainment and creative industry.
Q: Has Ayla faced threats because of her family background?
A: Sadly, yes, in 2013, intelligence warned that banned militant groups had plotted to target her. Still, she continued her cultural work undeterred.
