Pakistan, Aug. 6 -- Pakistan Idol is returning more than a decade after its original run ended, bringing fresh energy and big names to the iconic show.

The singing competition is being revived by MHL Global, which recently acquired format rights from Fremantle, the international distributor of the Idol franchise. The new season is set to premiere with a high-profile judging panel featuring Fawad Khan, Zeb Bangash, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Bilal Maqsood. The show originally aired on an entertainment from December 2013 to April 2014 and became a pop culture moment in Pakistan. Its only season crowned Lahore-based singer Zamad Baig as the winner after an intense finale that drew over one million votes.

The previous judging panel included B...