OUT OF THE TALIBAN'S SHADOW

Tabeer's sole female artist, Malala Gul, grew to love music as a child, by listening to an aunt who sang songs in the Pashto language spoken across Pakistan's northwest.

Times were tough when she began singing five years ago, in a city roiled by Taliban-led violence.

"Conditions in Peshawar were very bad, but thank God the situation is much better now," she said.

Gul stressed the importance of music, rebuffing those who call it unIslamic.

"This is a big world, and some people will say one thing, others will say another, but anyone who understands and values music will go very far."