Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch

Quratulain Balouch is a Pakistani American singer-songwriter. Also known as QB or the Humsafar Girl, she became popular for her title track "Woh Humsafar Tha" in Hum TV's serial Humsafar.

Early life Balouch was originally named "Shaheera" but later renamed "Quratulain" at two years old. She grew up in Pakistan and moved to the United States when she was around 18.

She returned to Pakistan five years later in 2011 where she became involved with working at an NGO that did relief work in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir. While working at the NGO, she met members of the music industry, who noticed her talent during an impromptu performance. She was encouraged to post her music on YouTube, which kickstarted her music career.

Balouch stated that while she had had a connection with music growing up, she never considered pursuing it as a career in her youth, and the path emerged through fortunate opportunities. She has shared that her family was unhappy about her career path, but later came "to terms with the fact that I was born to sing."

Career Balouch has no formal music education. She grew up listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Muhammad Juman, Pathanay Khan and others. She rose to fame after her award-winning performance of "Woh Humsafar Tha" for 2011 drama serial Humsafar.

In 2012, she represented her country in a live performance with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2016, she made her debut in Bollywood with song "Kaari Kaari" in film Pink.

Personal life

Balouch has shared her love of Sufism as both the answer to her spiritual questions and the inspiration for her music.

In the past, Balouch has expressed that feminism requires action over “shouting for ‘rights’” causing her to garner backlash and criticism before clarifying she appreciates women who “work everyday towards what they believe in.”

Balouch has stated she dislikes being referred to as QB, due to sharing the initials Qandeel Baloch, clarifying she respects her as a “reflection of the society.. speaking her truth.”

On 5 September 2025, Balouch was injured by a bear attack while camping in Gilgit Baltistan, on a trip to assist victims of the 2025 Pakistan floods. She describes the incident, along with a car accident she was in, as making her “stronger, more resilient, and less fearful,” seeing her survival as a second chance at life that have motivated her to keep going.

Discography

Coke Studio Pakistan Year Season Song Co-singer(s) Ref.20114"Panchi"Jal 20158"Sohni Dharti"Season's ft. artistes "Sammi Meri Waar"Umair Jaswal 20169"Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo"Season's ft. artistes "Baliye (Laung Gawacha)"Haroon Shahid "Sab Jag Soye"Shuja Haider 201710"Qaumi Taranah"Season's ft. artistes "Faasle"Kaavish "Laal Meri Pat"Akbar Ali and Arieb Azhar "Dekh Tera Kya/Latthay Di Chaadar"Farhan Saeed 201912"Mundiya"Ali Sethi 202214"Thagyan"Zain Zohaib

Soundtracks

Others

Awards and nominations

Song of the Year Best Original Soundtrack

"Saaiyaan" Song of the Year "Tere Naal Mein Laiyan" – Mann Mayal Best Original Soundtrack 2018 "Chal Diye" – #CornettoPopRock2 Song of the Year (shared with Ali Azmat)

2012 "Woh Humsafar Tha" – Humsafar Singer of the Year (Female)

"Woh Humsafar Tha" – Humsafar Hum Honorary Phenomenal Serial Award "Roshan Sitara" – Roshan Sitara Hum Award for Best Original Soundtrack

2011 "Woh Humsafar Tha" – Humsafar Pakistan's Youngest Achievement Award

2017 "Kaari Kaari" – Pink Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer

Female Vocalist of The Year Upcoming Female Vocalist of The Year

2017 "Tere Naal Mein Laiyan" – Mann Mayal Best Singer