Haider is best known as a playback singer for films Khuda Kay Liye (2007) and Bol (2011) and more recently for his work on Coke Studio, Pakistan.
[citation needed] Haider lists Sting, Coldplay, Henry Mancini, John Williams, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan among his musical influences[6][11] and has stated that listening to the Bee Gees, The Carpenters, Queen, Abba and The Beatles as a teenager was particularly impactful for him.
He has since done work as songwriter, composer, and vocalist for Pakistani drama soundtracks (known as OSTs) including Tum Mere Hi Rehna (2014), Muqaddas (2015), Sehra Main Safar (2015), Mann Mayal (2016),[15] Baaghi (2017), and Alif (2019).
Haider is known for his collaborations with Shoaib Mansoor in his films Khuda Kay Liye (2007) and Bol (2011), where he recorded solos and duets with Ahmed Jahanzeb.
In the season finale, Haider made his debut as a vocalist on Coke Studio with "Sab Jag Soye," performing with Quratulain Balouch.
The following year, in Coke Studio Season 10, Haider continued to work as a producer but also wrote, composed, and sang "Baanware" with Aima Baig.
He also wrote, composed, and directed "Allahu Akbar,"[3] a traditional hamd performed by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and Ahmed Jahanzeb.
The song received critical acclaim for its "complex structure" and "larger-than-life atmosphere,"[3] and Haider was praised for his ability to blend "Middle-Eastern and South Asian musical motifs.
[21] Haider continues to be closely associated with Coke Studio Pakistan and has been credited with bringing greater variety to the show in recent years.
[30] In the aftermath of the murder of Zainab Ansari in 2018, Haider wrote, composed and sang the song "Jeevan Daan" (featuring Saba Qamar) which addressed the issues of gender inequality and child abuse.
"[38] Despite his significant success as a singer, Haider has stated in various interviews that he primarily considers himself a composer, songwriter and record producer: "Personally, I have always enjoyed creating music far more than singing.