Abrar-ul-Haq graduated from Sir Syed College, Rawalpindi and acquired Master’s degree in social sciences from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He joined permanent faculty of Aitchison College in 1996. He had to quit teaching to pursue his career in pop music; although he considers the day he joined Aitchison College was the proudest day of his life but being the pop singer is also the proudest thing he has ever done.
He primarily sings in Punjabi which is the main language of bhangra genre, language of most populated province of Pakistan and Abrar's native language. He sings in Urdu too. His popular single "Sanu Tere Nal" is in English and Punjabi.
Abrar's first single “Billo De Ghar” was an instant hit along with his album. That song is still remembered today even though it was one of his oldest songs. According to his website more than 16 million copies of his debut album have been sold.
Abrar states "I was very secure in my formative years because of the tremendous love and support my parents gave me. I always idolized my father but my mother was my main anchor in my life. Her tremendous encouragement and faith in me was the driving force behind everything I did. I could talk every thing with her and therefore it was with great pride that I went and presented her my appointment letter. She held me close and said "I knew that you will get this job, I prayed for you".
About singing he quotes "I was always fond of singing. While studying in Islamabad I organized fund raising concerts. I still remember trying to sell the tickets of my functions. I use to tell the people that there is an excellent singer who will perform at this concert. I am sure that they use to be surprised at seeing me on the stage. However, it never bothered me, as the money I collected from these concerts would go to help the needy students. When I joined as teacher in Aitcheson, I could not get over my love for singing and it was here that I composed my song "Billo De Ghar". My popularity as a singer grew, but I always looked for approval from my mother. No success was complete till my mother approved. I was really my mother's boy."
Recently, Abrar Ul Haq was asked to play a lead role in a Punjabi movie along with Gurdas Maan. Gurdas had been asking Abrar for a long time but Abrar refused because of personal issues.
He belongs to Jat clan of Kahloon based in District Narowal. His elder brother Maj (R) Israr ul Haq Kahloon is an active politician in Narowal District.
Like many other famous singers Abrar's musical work also has caused public debates. Abrar has created some controversy with his newest album's song "Parveen." He has been criticized for the usage of Parveen, a common female name in Pakistan, in an odd way. The renowned columnist Javed Chaudhry wrote a column in protest of Abrar's song when Javaid received a letter from a girl name Parveen on the effects of the song on her life. The girl claimed that she had stopped attending college in Lahore because of harassment from male students. The case was taken to Pakistan's Supreme Court, which ordered Abrar to change the lyrics. He stated that he would abide by the court's decision.
He is the founder and chairman of Sahara for Life Trust, a charitable organisation promoting health and education in remote areas.
