Taurees Habib, a sound engineer from Karachi, has made history by becoming the first Pakistani to win a Grammy Award in the field of engineering. His achievement also makes him only the second Pakistani, after singer Arooj Aftab, to bring home the prestigious music trophy.
Habib won the award in February 2025 for his contribution to the soundtrack of Dune: Part Two, composed by renowned musician Hans Zimmer. The Grammy was in the category Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Film and Television). The accolade bears the engraving: “Taurees Habib, Engineer. Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media — 2024, Dune: Part Two (Hans Zimmer).”
Although the award was announced earlier in the year, Habib chose not to publicize the achievement until he received the physical trophy. On Tuesday, he shared the news on his social media, posting photographs and a video of the golden gramophone after unboxing it.
In a statement accompanying his post, Habib said he was “incredibly honoured” to have been part of the project, adding, “I’m so lucky to have gotten to go along for the ride with all the people on our team who put their blood, sweat, and tears into bringing Hans Zimmer’s vision to life.”
The award-winning soundtrack overcame a setback earlier in the year when it was deemed ineligible for the Oscars due to its use of music carried over from Dune: Part One. However, at the Grammys, the score prevailed in its category, earning Zimmer his fifth career Grammy.
For Pakistan, Habib’s recognition represents another significant milestone in international arts and entertainment. His achievement comes three years after Arooj Aftab became the first Pakistani to win a Grammy in 2022 for Best Global Music Performance.
Industry observers say the recognition of Habib’s work underscores the growing presence of Pakistani talent on the global stage. For the country’s music and film professionals, the award is viewed as both a source of pride and inspiration for future generations aiming to break into the international creative industries.
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