By Asim Hussain
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan United Music Producer Association (PUMPA), Sher Muhammad, professionally known as Sher Kumbher, has called for greater transparency, stronger copyright awareness and fairer business practices in Pakistan’s music industry, stressing that independent music producers need better guidance on distribution agreements, ownership rights and payments in the digital marketplace.
Speaking about the challenges facing music professionals with APP, Sher Kumbher said that while Pakistani music could reach international audiences within minutes through digital platforms, establishing ownership of recordings and ensuring that the rightful creators received their earnings remained a complex task.
He said independent producers often managed distribution and promotion themselves, with limited access to professional guidance on contracts, royalty arrangements and copyright protection.
Unclear agreements could lead to disputes long after a song had been released.
He said the objective was to equip music businesses with the knowledge and collective representation needed to engage with industry stakeholders on clearer and fairer terms.
Drawing on his experience as co-founder and former chief executive officer of Sindh Distro, Sher Kumbher highlighted the challenges associated with digital music distribution, catalogue management and copyright-related operations. He said placing a song on a digital platform was only one part of the process, as producers also needed to understand who controlled a recording, how it could be used and how the resulting revenue would be calculated and distributed. “Much more than uploading music” was involved in succeeding in the digital music industry, he emphasised, pointing to the importance of sound contractual arrangements, reliable documentation and transparent payment systems. Sher Muhammad also leads the Anti-Music Fraud Task Force, which researches suspected unauthorised redistribution and other forms of rights-related abuse.
He said protecting music after its release required accurate ownership information and proper records that could help creators establish their rights and pursue complaints when necessary.
Sher Kumbher said improving industry practices required more than addressing individual complaints. He described collective representation through PUMPA as an important means of bringing producers’ concerns to businesses and institutions that influence the digital music market.
He stressed that better-informed producers would be better equipped to negotiate agreements, question unclear payment statements and protect their creative and commercial interests.
Sher Muhammad said meaningful progress would depend on practical measures, including clearer contractual terms, stronger copyright awareness, reliable documentation and more transparent dealings throughout the music business.
He maintained that a fairer digital music environment would help independent producers protect their work, understand their earnings and participate more confidently in an increasingly interconnected global music market.
